The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have organized a series of workshops to advance road safety laws and regulations in the lead-up to the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. The workshops aim to address the high number of road traffic deaths in Asia, where over half of the world’s 1.19 million annual fatalities occur. A key concern is that many new vehicles in the region fail to meet UN safety standards, and 40% of countries still lack vehicle safety laws.
Collaborative Efforts to Improve Vehicle Safety
The workshops brought together officials from WHO, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), and the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research (MIROS). Participants focused on joint research into new vehicle safety issues, advancing the adoption of safety-focused technologies, and sharing experiences in implementing global vehicle safety standards. They also highlighted the need to raise awareness and educate the public on road safety.
Impact on Global Road Safety Efforts
The outcomes of these workshops will contribute to the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, where global leaders will discuss strategies to reduce road traffic deaths. The goal is to strengthen regulations, promote the use of safer vehicles, and ultimately save lives on the roads, especially in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions.
