WHO Champions National ‘Say No to Accidents’ Campaign to Enhance Road Safety
The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Iran is making significant strides in enhancing road safety through a national campaign known as “Say No to Accidents.” This initiative aims to manage road traffic, reduce accidents, and ultimately save lives. With thousands of fatalities occurring annually due to road crashes, the WHO is dedicated to raising public awareness and collaborating with various organizations to tackle this pressing issue.
According to Jaffar Hussain, the WHO representative in Iran, the campaign is a crucial response to the alarming statistics surrounding road accidents in the country. He stated, “Road accidents are one of the main challenges of the health system in the country. Thousands of individuals are killed in road crashes every year.” Despite being preventable, road accidents claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 individuals in Iran in 2023, with a significant portion of the victims being young people.
To support the “Say No to Accidents” campaign, the WHO plans to:
- Disseminate key messages across WHO digital platforms to engage and inform the public.
- Facilitate high-level advocacy for evidence-based interventions to improve road safety.
- Promote partnerships among policymakers, law enforcement, and communities to encourage adherence to road safety regulations.
Hussain emphasized the importance of raising public awareness and fostering a culture of road safety, particularly during the Nowruz holiday. He stated, “Together, by raising public awareness and developing road safety culture, we will significantly minimize road accidents and their devastating consequences.” His message resonates with the notion that every single life matters, urging the public to unite in the effort to make roads safer for everyone.
In addition to the campaign, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed annually on the third Sunday in November. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the millions of lives lost to road accidents around the globe, with the death toll rising each year.
In Iran, various programs are held to commemorate this day, including:
- Cultural and educational workshops
- Conferences and technical roundtables
- Drills and safety demonstrations
Recent statistics reveal that traffic-related accidents resulted in the deaths of 10,097 Iranians during the first half of the current calendar year (March 20-September 21). This represents a decrease of 618 deaths compared to the same period in the previous year, according to IRNA.
Analysis of accident data shows that a staggering 62 percent of incidents are linked to private vehicles. The breakdown of vehicle involvement in accidents is as follows:
- Cars: 25%
- Motorcycles: 25%
- Vans: 6%
- Trucks: 5%
- Public transportation: 1%
Pedestrians represent a significant portion of accident victims, accounting for 16 percent of all fatalities. Notably, this figure rises to 24 percent in urban areas and decreases to 8 percent on highways. It is worth noting that accidents are more frequent during the evening and nighttime hours, with 25 percent occurring between 4 to 8 p.m. and 22 percent between 8 p.m. and midnight.
The WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety, released in December 2018, sheds light on the global road traffic crisis, indicating that annual road traffic deaths have reached a staggering 1.35 million. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, make up more than half of these fatalities. This demographic faces a higher risk of death in low-income countries compared to their counterparts in high-income nations.
Road traffic injuries have now become the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-29 years, disproportionately affecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, particularly in developing countries. The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.6, which aims for a 50 percent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2020.
In conclusion, the WHO’s commitment to enhancing road safety in Iran through the “Say No to Accidents” campaign is a vital step toward reducing fatalities and promoting safer driving practices. By raising awareness and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the campaign aims to create lasting change and protect lives on the roads.
