Locations
The Fifth UN Global Road Safety Week acknowledges that strong leadership is needed to advance road safety in countries and communities and achieve related Sustainable Development Goals and other global targets. Despite progress in many countries, road traffic deaths continue to rise, with an annual 1.35 million global fatalities. In Nepal, on average, five to six people die in road traffic crashes every day, with many more injured. Road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of children and young people aged 5-29 years in the country.
In the week dedicated to road safety, thousands of advocates worldwide took the opportunity to #SpeakUp for road safety and call for urgent action to save lives. In Province 3, the campaign kicked off with a rally in Kathmandu advocating for road safety followed by several awareness activities in collaboration with the Traffic Police. At the same time, related events were also organized in all other provinces during the week.
Province 5
On 11 May, in collaboration with Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Traffic Police, UNDP Nepal and JAYCEES Butwal a stakeholders consultation was organized where Butwal mayor Shiva Subedi appealed for unity in addressing road safety concerns. He assured to form a ‘Stakeholders Task Force Road Safety’. He also committed to allocating budget for road safety and requested UNDP to collaborate with the municipality in reducing traffic-related mishaps.
Gandaki Province
On 12 May, the Gandaki Province Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Pokhara University held a stakeholders consultation on road safety in collaboration with UNDP Nepal and Traffice Pollice. At the event, Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung stressed on the necessity of formulating policies, rules and regulation with a farsighted approach, so as to transform the situation over the next 25 years.
Sudurpaschim Province
In the consultation organized in Sudurpaschim Province on 8 May, stakeholders urged everyone to follow road safety measures to minimize road accidents. They highlighted that no one should be left behind in educating and creating awareness on road safety. Addressing the programme, Inspector Hari Bahadur KC requested to continue the “No Horn” campaign and informed about a new mobile application to mitigate road accidents. Similarly, targeting school students, UNDP Nepal also organized an awareness campaign at the Jana High Secondary School in Birendranagar, Surkhet.
Province 7
In Kailali, 48 people lost their lives in road accidents last year. In this context, a programme was organized on 8 May by District Traffic Police and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City in collaboration with UNDP Nepal to raise awareness on road safety. Around 65 students from four different colleges took part in the #SpeakUp campaign. As part of the event, they showcased pictures and display cards that depicting road-safety issues.
Province 2
In Janakpur, around 50 drivers were oriented on road safety through an event organized in collaboration with the Traffic Police. Additionally, around 60 students from Vrikuti School, Itahari, were also made aware of road safety measures and the role of individuals in mitigating road accidents. Meanwhile, in collaboration with District Traffic Police Office Dhanusha, PABSON Dhanusha, the UN also conducted an awareness programme at Gangotri School.
The SDG target 3.6 relates to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2020. It also aims to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all by 2030. To ensure progress is made on road safety targets and to generate demand from the public for stronger leadership on the matter, these campaigns were initiated in all provinces as part of the dedicated road safety week.
