The United Nations (UN) in partnership with JC Decaux has launched the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety in South Africa in an effort to raise public awareness of life-saving initiatives on the road.
“The campaign has garnered support from international and national celebrities, inviting individuals to consider their driving behaviour, emphasizing the importance of small actions that can save lives, and promoting partnerships to combat this scourge,” said transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
“The ultimate goal of the campaign is to decrease the number of casualties caused by road accidents around the world.”
Under the slogan #MakeASafetyStatement, the campaign will appear on billboards and in public places in South Africa as well as in 79 other countries around the globe by the end of 2025, and it will be broadcast in about 1,000 towns and cities in 30 languages.
By launching tonight the @UN @JCDecauxGlobal campaign #MakeASafetyStatement in South Africa🇿🇦, we are taking another critical step towards reshaping #roadsafety throughout the continent. We are all road users – pedestrians, cyclists, drivers. The campaign aims at individuals,… pic.twitter.com/joxDBXxLa2
— Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) May 13, 2024
Targeting the next generation
One of the main goals of the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign is to raise awareness of life-saving actions among young generations, who as statistics show, are the major victims of road crashes especially for young people aged from 5 to 29 years old worldwide.
This issue is of particular significance in South Africa where more than 60% of the population is under 35 years old and the road fatalities are reported at 25 deaths per 100,000 people, well above the 19/100,000 people average for the rest of Africa, and significantly higher than the 7/100,000 people in Europe.
Statements that will feature on the #MakeASafetyStatement billboards include:
- Drive slow
- Wear a helmet
- Wear a seat belt
- Don’t drive tired
- Don’t text and drive
- Don’t drive under the influence
Ten South African celebrities are involved in the initiative including Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, Bryoni Govender, Dr. Khumalo, Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Maduvha Madima, Leanne Manas, Dr. Moratwe Masima, Thokozani Ndaba, Gaisang Noge, and Caster Semenya.
“Human Factors contribute 88% to South African road fatalities and therefore the involvement of celebrities as role models for the Youth in the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign will contribute towards the reduction of accidents on our roads,” notes Chikunga.
Loading ...
