[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 84 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      U.N. GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, this week, May 15-21, 2023, marks U.N. 
Global Road Safety Week, with a focus this year on sustainable 
transport. As governments look to tackle the issues of climate change, 
some of the answers lie in making it easier for people to walk, cycle, 
and use public transport as a way to navigate our cities, but in order 
to do that, we need to prioritize making these options safer. I 
recognize the tremendous contributions of our partner organizations in 
this global effort, including the Association for Safe International 
Road Travel ASIRT.
  More than 1 million people die from road crashes every year, and tens 
of millions are seriously injured. Road traffic crashes are leading 
cause of death among young people between the ages of 15 and 29 and the 
eighth among all people worldwide. It is time to draw attention to the 
need for improved legislation, awareness, infrastructure, and 
technology to save more families from the tragedy of losing a loved 
one.
  On this seventh anniversary of U.N. Global Road Safety Week, it is 
critical to recommit to the goals of raising awareness about road 
safety and the importance of taking steps to end these preventable 
deaths. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with partners 
including governments, NGOs, businesses, and individuals, organizes 
periodic U.N. Global Safety Weeks. It was initiated in 2007 and, as of 
2019, has become an annual event.
  In September 2020, the U.N. General Assembly announced the ambitious 
goal of halving road deaths within 10 years through the adoption of the 
resolution ``Improving global road safety,'' proclaiming the Decade of 
Action for Road Safety from 2021-2030. The Global Plan for the Decade 
of Action provides a roadmap for achieving these goals through 
improving the design of roads and vehicles, enhancing laws and 
enforcement of road safety measures, and providing timely and 
lifesaving emergency care for those injured. Using these policies can 
help promote walking, cycling, and public transit. Additionally, the 
U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 calls on governments and their 
stakeholders, including NGOs and private citizens, to address the 
personal, medical, and financial burdens associated with road traffic 
deaths and injuries.
  We must improve the safety of our roads for all who wish to use them, 
be it for walking, cycling, or driving. As we continue to shift towards 
more sustainable modes of transit, it is imperative that our laws 
enable us to curb dangerous behaviors and keep people safe. It is our 
responsibility to protect our citizens through designing road networks 
with the most at-risk in mind, and doing the utmost to prevent untimely 
death or injury due to crashes.

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