Road crashes kill 1.2 million people yearly—the leading cause of child deaths worldwide. We can and must change this. In this op-ed, Nneka Henry (UNRSF) and Dr. Nhan Tran (WHO) outline urgent actions to redesign transport systems, protect children, and halve road deaths by 2030. The time to act is now.

The UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) is pleased to announce that Honda has become the first vehicle manufacturer to join the global partnership and governing body, marking a historic milestone in the Fund’s mission to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries. This marks a significant precedent in the pursuit of safer roads worldwide.

Rwanda has launched Africa's first helmet testing laboratory to ensure the safety of motorcycle riders. This initiative, part of the 'Tuwurinde' Project, will test helmets against national safety standards, reducing the risk of head injuries.

As South Africa prepares to lead the hashtag#G20 in 2025, road safety and active mobility must remain at the heart of global discussions. Building on Brazil’s legacy and the U20 Rio São Paulo Communiqué’s focus on sustainable urban transport, investing in safer roads is key to saving lives and reducing inequalities.

During the Eighth Session of the Committee on Transport, UNRSF’s Nneka Henry emphasized the need for stronger partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms, such as road safety bonds, to address critical road safety challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

With support from the UNRSF-funded ACRoS initiative, Zimbabwe is now part of a network of African cities focused on road safety. Harare recently held its first Open Street event in Budiriro, promoting safe walking and cycling and exploring low-cost safety solutions.

The Improving Road Data Systems in Brazil project, funded by the UNRSF and coordinated by PAHO, has completed its first phase. The initiative focuses on creating a data system to enhance road safety, with the goal of reducing traffic fatalities and injuries across federal, state, and municipal highways in Brazil.

Workshop introduced Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to MDCI to improve road safety. Experts shared global best practices to help both countries reduce road fatalities by integrating this method into their national safety strategies.

The United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) hosted, with the support of MIROS and Autoliv, a session titled “Catalyzing motorcycle industry leadership on the road to Morocco” during the Conference on Asia Road Safety (CARS) 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.