Geneva — The United Nations Particular Envoy for Street Security, Jean Todt, has launched the UN International Marketing campaign for Street Security for the primary time in Africa, in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, aimed toward a continent with a number of the world’s most harmful roads.
Todt visited the West African nation from Feb. 29 to March 3 to help nationwide authorities’ street security initiatives together with the launch of the worldwide marketing campaign.
“Africa is the continent most affected by street accidents,” mentioned Todt in a press release.
“But, we’ve got the prescription to finish the carnage on our roads. Subsequently, I name on nationwide and native authorities, worldwide companions, civil society, and each citizen to take motion to result in an important change in order that street security turns into a precedence for everybody.”
Below the slogan “#MakeASafetyStatement,” the marketing campaign brings collectively celebrities worldwide, together with former Ivorian soccer star Didier Drogba and Senegalese singer, songwriter, and musician Youssou N’Dour.
‘Undertake easy guidelines’
They wish to encourage street customers to undertake easy, efficient guidelines to maintain their roads protected.
Todt’s go to coincided with the current launch of the International Standing Report on Street Security 2023 from the World Well being Group (WHO) on street security, highlighting that Africa stays the area most affected by this tragedy.
Based on the brand new WHO report, the figures for victims on African roads proceed to develop, with a mortality charge of 19 per 100,000 folks, towards 7 for each 100,000 folks in Europe.
In Côte d’Ivoire, there are 21 deaths per 100,000 folks. Street crashes are additionally the first explanation for loss of life amongst younger folks aged 5 to 29.
Based on the World Financial institution, street crash prices characterize 7.8% of Ivory Coast’s GDP.
Throughout his earlier go to to Côte d’Ivoire in Might 2023, Todt and Transport Minister Amadou Koné undertook to step up street security consciousness initiatives.
The launch of the UN marketing campaign in Africa on March 2 and three is a part of efforts to lift public consciousness of life-saving gestures on the street.
“This awareness-raising effort will cowl the entire of Côte d’Ivoire. “Because of a worldwide partnership with JCDecaux, the marketing campaign will seem on billboards and in public locations in round 1,000 cities in 80 nations by the tip of 2025,” mentioned the marketing campaign organizers.
This marketing campaign goals to lift consciousness amongst nationwide and native authorities, worldwide companions lively in West Africa, and most of the people, particularly younger folks, on the necessity to make investments extra in street security.
It goals to carry a few radical change by making mobility and issues of safety central to everybody’s day by day considerations
First of sort in Africa
The occasion is an important step taken by the Ivorian authorities, demonstrating a dedication on the nationwide degree to implement the nationwide “Cease recklessness on the roads” marketing campaign and promote worldwide management by inviting different nations within the area to take a position extra in street security.
“Gathering accident information is a crucial step in direction of a extra knowledgeable and focused method to street security. Correct, up-to-date information is important for understanding traits, figuring out hotspots, and growing insurance policies based mostly on stable proof”, Amadou Koné, the Côte d’Ivoire transport minister, confused.
Current bus accidents in Côte d’Ivoire have highlighted the run-down state of Africa’s automobile fleet.
The marketing campaign organizers say that failure to adjust to the Freeway Code and implement penalties are important causes of accidents. #