On 9 May at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, launched a global road safety exhibition with the support of Malaysia’s Permanent Mission in Geneva. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of road risks and highlight solutions that can save millions of lives.

Aligned with the theme of the 8th UN Road Safety Week, making walking and cycling safe, the exhibition features the “Helmets for Hope” project: 17 UN-standard helmets painted by refugee artists worldwide, in collaboration with Artolution and the Keep Fighting Foundation. Helmets compliant with UN standards can reduce death risk by six times and brain injury risk by 74% (WHO 2021), underscoring the urgent need for their widespread use.

Also showcased are 17 visuals from the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign, supported by JCDecaux and the International Olympic Committee, as well as vehicle safety demonstrations, including battery fire extinguishing and impaired driving simulations. A conversation on safe and sustainable urban mobility, hosted by Belgium’s Permanent Mission, will follow.

The Silent Pandemic on the Road

Road crashes kill 1.19 million people and injure 50 million more each year, making them the leading cause of death for 5 to 29-year-olds (WHO 2021). As Jean Todt notes, “Road crashes are not a fatality.” The exhibition calls for global partnership to help halve road deaths by 2030, in line with the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Make a Safety Statement

The global #MakeASafetyStatement campaign, in partnership with JCDecaux, promotes simple, life-saving rules through celebrity ambassadors like Michelle Yeoh, Charles Leclerc, Didier Drogba, and Naomi Campbell. By 2025, it will reach audiences in 80 countries, across 1,000 cities and in 30 languages. Cycling champion Tadej Pogačar also joins the campaign, reinforcing the Week’s focus on safer walking and cycling.

Switzerland: A Model for Road Safety

In 2024, Switzerland recorded 250 road deaths, its highest toll since 2015, with sharp rises among motorcyclists, e-bike users, cyclists, and pedestrians. Alcohol, speed, and distraction were leading causes. Yet, Switzerland’s road fatality rate remains among the world’s lowest (2 per 100,000), showing how strong regulation and enforcement save lives.

Global Gaps and Good Practices

Only seven countries meet WHO best practices on key risk factors, including helmet and seatbelt use, speed limits, and drunk driving laws. Advances in vehicle safety and regulation have significantly reduced fatalities in high-income countries, particularly among car occupants.

Malaysia’s Commitment

In Malaysia, where motorcyclists account for over 60% of road deaths, the government has prioritized helmet use and young rider safety. Efforts include school awareness campaigns and a national Helmet Exchange Programme to replace non-compliant helmets. Malaysia’s actions reflect its strong commitment to the UN Decade of Action goal to halve road deaths by 2030.