Enhancing Public Safety and Building a Secure Future: Turning Road Safety into a Collective Responsibility
In the Asia-Pacific region, a significant shift is underway towards prioritising road safety and reducing traffic fatalities, particularly among vulnerable road users. This transformation is being driven by a series of collaborative initiatives and innovative action plans.
In the Philippines, the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan (MMRSAP), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a comprehensive initiative centred around five pillars: road safety management, safer roads, safer motor vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash care. The aim is to foster collaboration among national agencies, local governments, and civil society organisations to make road safety a cultural norm.
Central Asia is also seeing a change, with a collaborative project led by iRAP publishing new guidance on safe and inclusive road design. This guidance aims to improve road safety conditions by providing road designers with tools to assess and mitigate crash risks using the iRAP Star Rating methodology.
Papua New Guinea's Mountainous Road Improvement and Resilience Program (MRIRP), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is another notable effort. This program aims to enhance road safety and resilience in mountainous regions by improving road design capacity with support from iRAP and other partners.
India is also participating in this regional commitment. Climate and road safety risk mapping initiatives are being implemented in Surat and Bhubaneshwar, integrating climate risk mapping with road safety assessments to prioritise infrastructure improvements for safer roads under various climate conditions.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is emphasising the importance of investing in both road safety prevention measures and robust post-crash care systems. By addressing both prevention and response, countries can effectively reduce road fatalities and improve recovery outcomes.
In Nepal, the focus is on building national capacity, creating a safer transportation environment, and enhancing public knowledge about road safety. Similarly, efforts are underway in the Philippines to make roads safer by promoting responsible driving, raising awareness of speed-related risks, and improving enforcement.
Inclusion is a key principle in these initiatives. In Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the UN is involved in collaborations to redesign road infrastructure with a focus on protecting vulnerable users like children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Small actions can also make a significant difference. For instance, wearing a motorcycle helmet can reduce the risk of death by 41%. Similarly, using a seatbelt and slowing down can save lives. Speeding is one of the top causes of road injuries and fatalities, making efforts to promote urban planning that prioritises people and safety all the more important.
In Bangkok, for example, a motorbike taxi can cut a trip and fare in half. However, it's crucial to remember that not wearing a helmet can negate these benefits due to safety concerns.
These initiatives highlight a growing regional commitment to addressing road safety challenges through collaborative efforts, innovative designs, and comprehensive action plans. The focus on urban planning and road safety is extending to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with the ultimate goal of making our streets serve people first, not just vehicles.
In the health-and-wellness sector, the promotion of wearing motorcycle helmets and seatbelts as simple yet effective road safety measures can contribute significantly to reducing fatalities, as demonstrated by a 41% reduction in death risk for motorcycle helmet use.
In the finance industry, organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are investing in both road safety prevention measures and post-crash care systems, highlighting a recognition that addressing both prevention and response is key to effectively reducing road fatalities and improving recovery outcomes. Furthermore, in the transportation industry, the UN is collaborating with several countries in Central Asia to redesign road infrastructure with a focus on protecting vulnerable users, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive and people-centric planning.
