Latest news with #8thUNGlobalRoadSafetyWeek
Qatar Tribune
21-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Hamad Trauma Centre promotes initiative to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists
Tribune News Network Doha The Hamad Injury Prevention Programme of Hamad Trauma Centre supported the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, which was held from May 12 to 18. This year's theme, 'Streets for Life: #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe', underscores the critical need to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists worldwide, as part of a broader effort to reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities. Every year, more than 1.3 million people worldwide lose their lives in road accidents, with pedestrians and cyclists accounting for a significant proportion of these casualties. In Qatar, as urban development progresses, there is a growing need to prioritise the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Despite a 15 percent decrease in Hamad Trauma Centre (HTC) admissions for serious injuries, the Qatar National Trauma Registry has shown a seven percent and 39 percent increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists admitted to the HTC from 2023 to 2024. Young children, particularly under the age of 15, and older residents, more than 55 years old, were most severely injured as pedestrians. Bicycle-related traumatic injuries, predominantly affect children, below the age of 15, and working-age males who cycle for work or leisure. The HIPP at HTC is committed to preventing unnecessary road traffic injuries [RTIs] from affecting any members of the public. During this UNGRSW, HIPP emphasises the importance of managing speed as a proven means of making our roads safer for all road users, most especially for the most vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, even children and the elderly. 'We are committed to working together with all our partners to make streets in Qatar safer for all road users, especially the most vulnerable. This year's theme provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital role we can all play in contributing to a safer road environment for pedestrians and cyclists,' said Dr. Rafael Consunji, director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Programme. 'Drivers must not drive while distracted by their mobile phones, always stop for pedestrians on crosswalks and drive under the designated speed limits. Cyclists must make themselves visible [with reflectors or blinking lights], show hand signals when turning and use bike lanes when available. Pedestrians must only cross at designated crossing zones and stay on sidewalks,' Dr. Consunji added. HIPP reaffirms its commitment to advancing evidence-based road safety policies and fostering a culture of community responsibility around safer mobility. In support of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, the programme endorses the campaign theme 'Streets for Life: #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe', which highlights the urgent need for safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Qatar and around the world. 'Our goal is to align with the global mission of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030, and this requires sustained, collaborative action,' said Dr. Consunji. 'This year's campaign reinforces the importance of integrating safety into urban planning and policymaking to protect all road users, especially the most vulnerable.'
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Tips that can save a pedestrian's life
The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week took place from 12 to 18 May. This year's focus was to make walking and cycling safer through stakeholder interventions, among them governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses and schools. Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and up to 50 million injured each year. 'Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are the leading killer of young people aged 5 to 29 years. The UN says, globally, more than 1 of every 4 deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists,' said MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert. 'In recent years, there has been encouragement of walking and cycling instead of using vehicles as it is a sustainable and economically advantageous mode of transport. 'Along with this movement, attention also needs to be paid to creating conditions where pedestrians and cyclists are not at greater risk of injury or fatality. 'Irrespective of whether or not government and other organisations make a safe environment for road users, drivers need to be aware of all road users, whether in a vehicle or not.' Driving techniques to reduce pedestrian accidents: • Try to make eye contact with pedestrians, never assume they know you are there and aware of your intended movement • Exert extra caution and slow down in areas with high pedestrian traffic such as in city centres and near schools • Check your blind spots for pedestrians while driving • Remember pedestrians always have right of way. Even if they do something wrong, it is the driver's responsibility to avoid colliding with them • Pay extra attention at night for people at the side of the road or a flash of movement • If you see a pedestrian showing signs of intoxication, increase the distance between you and them, and be ready to act if they stumble and fall into your path • Avoid distracted driving as it becomes an even bigger danger when pedestrians are on the road • Keep your lights on at all hours when driving to increase your visibility Follow these steps and play your part in reducing pedestrian road accidents, fatalities and injuries with a few adjustments to your driving. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
General Directorate of Traffic takes part in 8th UN Global Road Safety Week with awareness activities
DOHA: The General Directorate of Traffic, in cooperation with the National Traffic Safety Committee, has participated in the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week with a series of awareness activities. These included an educational exhibition at the directorate's headquarters and field visits to several schools, aimed at highlighting key road safety topics. The initiative featured lectures designed to raise traffic awareness among students by introducing them to safety guidelines and promoting responsible road behaviour. The UN Global Road Safety Week is held every two years, from May 12 to 18, to promote public awareness on road safety.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Health Talk: Why it's important to make walking and cycling safe
Last week, the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week kicked off around the world under the theme 'Make walking and cycling safe'. For governments to observe a week dedicated to safe walking and cycling is of immense need. According to data shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year, nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on the roads, more than a quarter of them while walking or cycling. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, pedestrian deaths rose by 42%; in the European Region, cyclist deaths surged by 50%; and in the Western Pacific Region, cyclist deaths soared by 88%. Yet, the UN health body said, only 0.2% of the roads worldwide are equipped with cycle lanes, and far too many communities lack basics like sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings— a problem that is acute for a country like India that has almost zero sidewalks or cycling tracks. And enough stress can't be put on the positive impact of simple activities such as walking and cycling on improving overall health. 'Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable. Every step and every ride help to cut congestion, air pollution, and disease,' said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, in a statement. 'But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.' In a 2024 study— Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study— published in BMJ, authors inferred active commuters were less likely to suffer from a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes than non-active commuters. In fact, data showed, compared with non-active commuting, cyclist commuting was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk, of any hospitalisation, of cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalisation, of cancer mortality and cancer hospitalisation, and lower risk of having a prescription for mental health problems. In addition, pedestrian commuting was associated with lower risk of any hospitalisation, of CVD hospitalisation, and of a mental health prescription. As a solution, the WHO has launched a new toolkit to help governments promote active mobility – by making it safer. It can work as a guidance document for policymakers, urban planners, health advocates, and civil society in general. Among the actions recommended in the tool-kit include integrating walking and cycling into transport, health, environmental and education policies; building safe infrastructure like sidewalks, crossings and protected cycle lanes; setting and enforcing safer speed limits aligned with global best practices; promoting safe road use through public awareness and behaviour change campaigns; and using financial incentives to encourage active mobility. 'It is urgent to make, what should be our most natural means of transport, safer. This is paramount for road safety, but also health, equity and climate,' said Etienne Krug, director of the WHO department for the social determinants of health, in a statement. 'We're calling on all sectors – transport, health, education and beyond – to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone.'
Deccan Herald
16-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Stakeholders welcome SC's pedestrian-safety directive
The directive is timely, coinciding with the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, which aims to make walking and cycling safer.
