Latest news with #UNGRSW
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.'
Malaysian Reserve
11-05-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
h in school zones can help reduce fatalities expert
KUALA LUMPUR — The government's decision to gazette the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour (30 km/h) in school zones is a timely measure to protect lives, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and global efforts to enhance road safety. Executive Director of Safe Kids Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Professor Dr Kulanthayan K.C. Mani said that reducing vehicle speed even by one kilometer per hour can reduce the risk of death by five percent. 'If the average speed is reduced by five percent, the risk of fatal accidents can be reduced by up to 30 percent,' he told Bernama in conjunction with the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW), from May 12 to 18, themed Walking and Cycling Safe. According to him, the impact of collision on human is highest at speeds exceeding 30 km/h because the human body can only absorb impact energy maximally at that limit. 'Exceeding 30 km/h significantly raises the risk of death,' he said. Statistics in 2023 showed that Malaysia recorded nearly 600,000 accident cases and 6,473 deaths, equivalent to one accident every 53 seconds and one death every 80 minutes and of the total, more than 67 percent of the victims involved motorcyclists and passengers. Kulanthayan clearly stated that this speed limit measure needs to be supported with the provision of safe infrastructure such as 30km/h signboards, road bumps, pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, bus stop areas, and the use of reflective clothing as well as bicycle helmets for children. He also emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of zero summonses, zero accidents, and zero road deaths through the involvement of all parties – government, industry, community, insurance companies, and automotive. 'The use of technology such as monitoring cameras, electronic cameras, and dashcams also needs to be expanded to enhance enforcement and monitoring on the roads,' he said. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook was reported to have said that the government will gazette a speed limit of 30 km/h in all school zones following an average of 70 deaths recorded each year in school areas, making this effort an urgent necessity. According to the WHO, a speed limit of 30 km/h in populated areas, schools, and pedestrian zones has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injury, as well as supporting safer walking and cycling. This World Road Safety Week also urged UN member countries to expand this initiative in an effort to achieve the target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by year 2030. — BERNAMA
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Reducing speed limit to 30km/h in school zones can save lives, says road safety expert
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The government's decision to gazette the speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour (30 km/h) in school zones is a timely measure to protect lives, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and global efforts to enhance road safety. Executive Director of Safe Kids Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Professor Dr Kulanthayan K.C. Mani said that reducing vehicle speed even by one kilometre per hour can reduce the risk of death by five per cent. 'If the average speed is reduced by five per cent, the risk of fatal accidents can be reduced by up to 30 per cent,' he told Bernama in conjunction with the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW), from May 12 to 18, themed Walking and Cycling Safe. According to him, the impact of collision on human is highest at speeds exceeding 30 km/h because the human body can only absorb impact energy maximally at that limit. 'Exceeding 30 km/h significantly raises the risk of death,' he said. Statistics in 2023 showed that Malaysia recorded nearly 600,000 accident cases and 6,473 deaths, equivalent to one accident every 53 seconds and one death every 80 minutes and of the total, more than 67 per cent of the victims involved motorcyclists and passengers. Kulanthayan clearly stated that this speed limit measure needs to be supported with the provision of safe infrastructure such as 30km/h signboards, road bumps, pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, bus stop areas, and the use of reflective clothing as well as bicycle helmets for children. He also emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of zero summonses, zero accidents, and zero road deaths through the involvement of all parties — government, industry, community, insurance companies, and automotive. 'The use of technology such as monitoring cameras, electronic cameras, and dashcams also needs to be expanded to enhance enforcement and monitoring on the roads,' he said. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook was reported to have said that the government will gazette a speed limit of 30 km/h in all school zones following an average of 70 deaths recorded each year in school areas, making this effort an urgent necessity. According to the WHO, a speed limit of 30 km/h in populated areas, schools, and pedestrian zones has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injury, as well as supporting safer walking and cycling. This World Road Safety Week also urged UN member countries to expand this initiative in an effort to achieve the target of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by year 2030. — Bernama
