ASEAN Road Safety Week 2023

Dato' Normah Binti Osman, Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Transport

Datuk Saidatu Akhma Binti Hassan,  Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Housing and Local Government

Ms. Emma Broms , Trade Commissioner of Sweden to Malaysia

Profesor Dr Wong Shaw Voon, Chairman Board of Director MIROS

Mr. Azhar Hamzah, Acting Director-General of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS),

Mr. Tuan Rosihan Zain Baharudin, CEO Futurise (MOF representative)

Ladies and gentlemen,

A very good morning to you all

I am honored to be here today. I thank the organizers of the ASEAN Road Safety Week 2023 for inviting the UN to speak on a topic of utmost importance for all of us - road safety.

Every year, millions of lives are affected by road accidents. The numbers and consequences tell a grim story; but this reality should not persist in a world where we have the knowledge, resources, and means to prevent countless tragedies.

In September 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on “Improving Global Road Safety” proclaiming 2021-2030 a Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

Subsequently, on 20 October 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, developed and released a Global Plan for the Decade of Action as a guiding tool to support the implementation of the Decade of Action.

Just a week later in Malaysia, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Road Safety Division, Ministry of Transport Malaysia, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Safekids Malaysia Universiti Putra Malaysia, launched the Global Plan for the Decade of Action 2021-2030 for Malaysia as a framework for action.

In my intervention today, I will provide an overview of global, regional and national trends; shed some light on the UN’s approach and efforts; discuss the theme of Rethinking Mobility; and finally provide some thoughts on the Malaysia context.

Globally, road traffic incidents cause nearly 1.3 million deaths yearly; that’s about 5 deaths every two minutes, accounting for 4% of all deaths globally. In addition, up to 50 million people are injured every year on the world’s roads.

93% of road traffic deaths are recorded in low- and middle-income countries, with over half of them involving vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and their passengers.

The ASEAN region is among the most affected by road traffic fatalities and injuries. In 2019, an estimated 20.7 deaths per 100,000 population were reported in ASEAN countries, constituting about 52% of road traffic deaths in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to WHO’s most recent data, Malaysia has the third highest road traffic mortality rate (about 23 per 100,000 population) in the Western Pacific Region. Road traffic accidents account for 14% of deaths among children aged 5-14 years in Malaysia, making it the leading cause of child mortality in the country.

Similarly to regional trends, the highest fatalities in Malaysia involve motorcyclists, with a 60% death rate.

These somber statistics make the need to address road safety a top priority. This is why in 2015, the UN member States incorporated road safety in the SDGs, specifically in:

1. SDG target 3.6 on halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes;  and
2. SDG target 11.2 on providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, sustainable transport systems, as well as improving road safety for all.

To support global advocacy and amplify the call to action, the UN secretary-general appointed a Special Envoy for Road Safety. Since 2015, Mr. Jean Todt has worked relentlessly to raise awareness of the UN road safety legal instruments, promote the sharing of experiences, and establish strategic partnerships and funding mechanisms to address this critical global emergency which burdens economies and healthcare systems.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Road safety is a multidisciplinary issue that requires collective action and practical, innovative solutions.

Road safety is a complex issue influenced by factors ranging from infrastructure and vehicle safety to human behavior and public policy.

Business as usual can only maintain the alarming status quo, and that is not acceptable when we know we can save thousands of lives, avoid the worst effects of climate change, and protect the most vulnerable.

Investments in better roads, safer vehicles, and advanced technologies are vital interventions.

Equally important is educating and empowering individuals to be responsible road users. It is about fostering a culture of respect, patience, and empathy when we are on the streets.

We need a transformational approach where we acknowledge the role of sustainable transportation in mitigating climate change and promoting public health. A safer, cleaner and more sustainable transportation system will benefit us all.

This year’s theme for the UN 7th Global Road Safety Week "Rethink Mobility" is a call to shift to sustainable modes of transport, in particular walking, cycling, and use of public transportation.

Rethinking mobility means reimagining how we move around in our cities and communities, how we design and build our roads and transport systems, how we enforce and comply with traffic rules and regulations, and how we protect and support the most vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, children, and persons with disabilities.

Rethinking mobility also means embracing new technologies and opportunities, such as electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, smart infrastructure, and shared mobility services, which can make our journeys safer, greener, and more efficient.

This requires a shift in mindset. It means designing cities and communities that prioritize safety over speed, encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. It also involves embracing innovative technologies that can enhance road safety.

Rethinking mobility is a crucial step, but can only be meaningful if put into action. Visions must translate into concrete policies and practices that can save lives and prevent injuries on the road.

Road safety legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms that deter and punish reckless driving are important, but should be accompanied by investment in road safety education and awareness campaigns to change attitudes and behaviors.

It is important to foster coordination in order to improve the emergency response and ensure that trauma care systems can provide timely and quality assistance to road crash victims.

Equally important are partnerships among all stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, media, and international organizations. Cooperation can leverage additional resources and much needed expertise.

Finally, we need to include and empower communities as the backbone of any road safety initiative. Communities hold the power to effect change at a grassroots level. By engaging local leaders, NGOs, and businesses, road safety becomes a common good.

The UN commends the Malaysian government for its commitment to address road safety as a national priority through the development and implementation of the MRSP.  We are seeing promising results, and we welcome the determination to integrate road safety into national and state-level sustainable development efforts.

The UN, through WHO, UN-Habitat, UNDP and other agencies, is committed to supporting national efforts and the rollout of small and larger-scale policies and solutions, in line with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the Malaysia Road Safety Plan.

The goals are ambitious but remain achievable if road safety is addressed as an urgent necessity: first and foremost, to prevent deaths and disability; and second, to dismantle another barrier to eradicating poverty and supporting Malaysia’s journey to achieve inclusive sustainable development and deliver on the vision and promises of Malaysia Madani.

Thank you.