UN, Peru Congress promote plan to reduce transport deaths

Lima, August 22 (EFE).- The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety and motorsport personality, Jean Todt, met on Thursday with representatives of the Peruvian Congress to promote road safety initiatives and thus reduce the number of deaths on the road.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean, 110,000 people die and more than 5 million are injured each year in traffic accidents. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 and the second cause among young people,” Todt said in information released by Congress.

The UN Special Envoy met with the Chairperson of the Congressional Committee on Transport and Communications, Marlene Portero, the UN Ambassador to Peru, Igor Garavélic, and the World Bank Infrastructure Program Specialist, Veronica Raffo.

Todd stressed that his mission is in line with the global plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which aims to halve road deaths by that year.

“This silent epidemic represents a huge social burden,” he declared.

Officials agreed that an efficient and safe road system with good public and private transport facilities also means improved access to education, health care and food in an equitable manner.

In addition, they highlighted the need to ensure inclusive transportation where the rights of people with disabilities are respected.

The Chairman of the Transport and Communications Authority stressed that her group is committed to working to build an appropriate legal framework so that the country has a more efficient, safe and comprehensive road system that meets the expectations of the population.

He added that they will influence inspection to comply with existing regulations..

This UN mission comes just weeks after the adoption of a new UN resolution to improve road safety ahead of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to be held in Marrakech (Morocco) on 18-19 February 2025.

“Investing in road safety in Latin America is essential if we are to achieve our goal of halving road deaths by 2030. It will also help the region decongest cities with pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets and efficient, accessible public transport, the UN website says.