In the heart of Ivory Coast, the global road safety awareness campaign is set to launch this weekend in Bouaké. Each year, the African continent witnesses nearly 220,000 fatalities due to road accidents, highlighting the critical need for concerted efforts to mitigate this alarming statistic.
Spanning across 80 countries, this awareness campaign garners support from renowned figures such as Youssou Ndour and Didier Drogba, underlining its international significance and reach.
Jean Todt, the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, emphasizes the multi-faceted approach required to address this “silent pandemic.” He stresses the importance of education, enforcement of laws, vehicle quality, road infrastructure, and emergency response capabilities. Despite strides made, Todt acknowledges the ongoing challenges, emphasizing the paramount importance of raising awareness.
Todt elaborates on the pivotal role of influential personalities like Ousmane Dembélé and Didier Drogba in amplifying the campaign’s message, particularly among the youth. Their endorsement lends weight to critical road safety practices such as adhering to speed limits, wearing seat belts, utilizing UN-standard helmets, abstaining from intoxicated driving, avoiding distractions like phone usage, and combating driver fatigue.
In essence, the campaign’s core message revolves around the vulnerability exacerbated by speed and the imperative of adopting safety measures such as seat belts, helmets, and sobriety. Through concerted global efforts and influential advocacy, the aim is to foster a culture of road safety consciousness, ultimately saving lives and preventing untold suffering on the world’s roads.