Archive
Road safety for the people: An Interview with Ibrahim Osman (26-08-2010)
Ibrahim Osman first realized the full extent of the road safety crisis 12 years ago while working on the 1998 World Disasters Report, the yearly chronicle of humanitarian crises published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). That year, the report identified road safety as a leading global killer and a man-made humanitarian disaster in need of urgent attention. Ten years later, this key founding GRSP partner is still a strong road safety advocate. GRSP News recently caught up with Osman, just before his retirement as IFRC's Deputy Secretary General
Annual Meeting In Brazil Highlights Results of Proactive Partnership (03-06-2010)
More than 100 people from around the world came to Rio de Janeiro as part of activities surrounding GRSP’s annual general meeting in June. The venue was the Challenge Bibendum, the biggest international event in the automobile industry, of which GRSP was a leading road-safety participant.
A safe-driving tour through the eyes of GRSP Hungary’s new president (08-08-2010)
In April this year, 40-year-old Balázs Tokár was elected president of GRSP/Hungary. A representative for Shell on the GRSP Hungary board since 2007, he has been involved in a number of joint projects within GRSP, including "Traffic playground" with a mini Shell station that is still operational in Budapest and used by local school classes. "Interestingly," he says, "when we were opening the playground back in 2008 - a troublesome political time for Hungary - representatives of all opposition parties from the local administration were present at the ceremony. This is proof that road safety does not know political borders and is vital for all who bear social responsibility." GRSP's Rita Plotnikova caught up with the energetic and enthusiastic Tokár for an interview about road safety in Hungary.
Cambodian team hits the Australian highway as part of RS-10 capacity building project (09-08-2010)
You cannot miss it. The last thing you want to see on your way home from an after-work drink with your office mates. A Victoria Police "Booze Bus", parked on the shoulder of a nondescript highway off-ramp with its flashing lights and customized floodlight illuminating a cold Melbourne night.
Radar equipment donated from Australia will help improve road safety in Ukraine (10-08-2010)
The beginning of a new road safety campaign in the city of Lviv in western Ukraine coincided with the handover of five speed-detection radars from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Australia.
The Global Road Safety Partnership welcomes a new member: Sesame Workshop (26-04-2010)
Sesame Workshop, the producers of the global educational brand, Sesame Street, joined the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in a move to contribute its educational media expertise to the worldwide effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities among children and families.
UN calls for ‘Decade of Action’ for road safety (01-04-2010)
Calling the global road safety crisis "a major public health problem" with a "broad range of social and economic consequences," the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution March 2 proclaiming 2011-2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Project assistant position for road safety project "Save our Lives" (08-03-2010)
The contract (70%) will be for three years at the Institute of Geography of the University of Tübingen (Germany).
GRSP seeks project manager for road injury provention programme (05-03-2010)
The Global Road Safety Partnership is seeking a full time project manager for a 22 month period, please click on the following link for more information and to make an application https://jobnet.ifrc.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=1735&vaclng=en
Drinking and driving dips in two Chinese cities after the multi-sector involved project (29-01-2010)
Levels of drinking and driving declined significantly in two cities where the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) together with a multi-sector team of government agencies and business organizations conducted a four-year drinking and driving project (2006-2009).
GRSP joins in regional road safety programme in Northern Poland Region (19-01-2010)
The Road Safety Council of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region in Poland has invited the Global Road Safety Partnership-Poland to join their ambitious and comprehensive road safety program, which aims to reduce road deaths and accidents over the next three years.
Ministers join call for Decade of Action (21-12-2009)
Government ministers from 70 countries gathered in Moscow for the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in November and pledged to gear up road safety efforts and formally ask the United Nations to declare 2011-2020 the "Decade of Action for road safety."
GRSP-Zambia maps its future; takes community approach (03-12-2009)
A mapping exercise to identify problem road safety sites was just one part of a comprehensive two-day workshop aimed at developing community solutions to Zambia's growing road safety problem.
Brazil city and GRSP win Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award (02-12-2009)
GRSP is delighted to announce that His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent has approved that The Brazilian city of São José dos Campos and the Global Road Safety Partnership should receive a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in recognition of its improvement in the control of road safety in the city since 2006.
Where the rubber meets the road: Front-line practitioners share solutions; rally for Decade of Actio (25-11-2009)
Dr. Nguyen Duc Chinh works on the front lines of Asia's road safety crisis. As chief of the Septic Surgery Department at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi, Dr. Nguyen knows first hand the effects road crashes have on victims, their families - and Vietnam's health care system.
GRSP teams with Ghana’s front-line road safety ambassadors (23-11-2009)
GRSP Ghana's on-going collaboration with police and transport officials in Ghana continued to bear fruit with a series of workshops and interactive training sessions designed to helping the country manage a wide range of road safety and policing challenges.
Leading global businesses launch second phase of Global Road Safety Initiative (23-11-2009)
Four leading energy and transport companies have pledged to fund a further, five-year second phase of the of the Global Road Safety Initiative (GRSI), the world's largest joint commitment of private sector resources toward road safety in low- and middle-income countries. The Initiative will be managed by the Global Road Safety Partnership, a not-for-profit hosted project of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Global Road Safety Partnership to receive grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to help reduce road crash (18-11-2009)
The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), a hosted project of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), will receive a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to collaborate in a five-year, 125-million-USD programme to reduce death and serious injury on the roads of ten low- and middle-income countries that between them, account for 48% of the global total of road crash deaths and injuries.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies calls for urgent action on road safety (16-11-2009)
On the eve of the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, to be held on 19 and 20 November, in Moscow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for urgent and global action to significantly decrease deaths and injuries in road crashes.
GRSP Romania joins in with Central and Eastern European network for road safety excellence (16-11-2009)
Cooperation across borders on issues such as pedestrian safety, speed management, road safety audits, improving black spots and building reliable road crash databases were just some of the topics addressed at the 2nd Annual Central Eastern European Road Safety Roundtable at the Transport Research Center (TRC) in Brno, Czech Republic, Oct. 14-15.
GRSP Hungary takes seat-belt pilot project to the street (16-11-2009)
After introducing the Hungarian version of the United Nation's good practice manual on seat-belts and child restraints this summer, GRSP Hungary and its partners have taken their seat-belt pilot project to the street, working with police and other partners on seat-belt workshops, road-side attitude surveys and analysis of crash data.
Mercedes-Benz Romania helps motorists set a shining example (11-11-2009)
To increase the visibility of vehicles on the roads and improve traffic safety, particularly during the darker winter months, GRSP-Romania member Mercedez-Benz Romania is offering free testing of exterior lights for all Mercedes-Benz vehicles during the month of November.
PrintF-1 Champion Michael Schumacher unveils Arabic seat-belt manual (03-11-2009)
Seven-time Formula One world drivers' champion Michael Schumacher officially launches two Arabic language good practice road safety manuals on behalf of the Middle East and North Africa Road Safety Partnership (MENARSP).
Road traffic accidents are an issue of growing concern for government, business and civil society in The Middle East region. In 2008, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Shell and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) launched a regional road safety initiative, MENARSP, to help share knowledge and good practice throughout the region.
One project supported by MENARSP is the translation into Arabic of two good practice manuals, 'seat belts and child restraints' and 'speed management', which were developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Bank, the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society and GRSP.
The manuals are aimed at governments, nongovernmental organizations and road safety practitioners. Written in an accessible manner, they provide practical steps - based on existing good practice and experience - on how to tackle key risk factors and implement effective road safety programmes.
Michael Schumacher formally presented the new Arabic manuals to government officials from Dubai Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. The World Bank funded the translation, while 250 copies of each manual have been printed for distribution to governments and practitioners throughout the region, funded by Shell.
"There are too many people dying and being injured on our roads," Schumacher said to those gathered at the launch. "We can all take simple steps that help to keep us safe. For example, I urge all car drivers and passengers to always wear your seat- belt. There is simply no excuse not to - your lives may depend on it."
Raoul Restucci, Executive Vice President for Shell in the Middle East and North Africa added that the private sector has a key role to play in getting people to buckle up.
"Shell believes that by working in partnership the business sector can support road safety improvement programmes in the region," he said. "These manuals are a great example of how many years of global best good practice and experience can be used to great effect in helping others to deliver similar programmes."
MENARSP representative, Samar Abouraad, noted that there are many partners that contributed to the success of this project. "I'd like to mention Digital World, The Print House in Dubai, who kindly printed 50 extra copies of each manual as their own contribution to road safety in the region," she said. "This really shows that any company - large or small - can make a real difference if we work together with one common goal."
Engineer Abdullah Ahmad A. Alsaleh, Manager of the Traffic Safety Unit of Arriyadh Development Authority, attending on behalf of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, said the manuals will help local officials improve the effectiveness of road safety interventions.
"It is important that we learn from global good practice and experience, but also that we adapt approaches to meet regional and local needs," he said. "We hope to incorporate this valuable learning in our own strategies for improving road safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
MENARSP encourages governments, businesses and civil society groups from around the region to join forces and tackle road safety. The regional partnership was formed by Shell, GRSP and UNESCWA in 2008. GRSP continues to provide key administrative and organizational support to the partnership and its activities.
More information can be found on their new partnership website at: www.menarsp.com
GRSP South Africa (GRSP ZA) partners get creative to address a dangerous road (03-11-2009)
The diverse array of businesses, agencies and non-profits that make up the Global Road Safety Partnership-South Africa (GRSP ZA) are taking on a dangerous stretch of highway in Western Cape town by using a very powerful tool: the creative energy of youth.
GRSP Poland honored for campaign against Drinking and Driving (19-10-2009)
The Global Road Safety Partnership in Poland has won third prize in the 8th Annual European Road Safety Awards for a campaign against drinking and driving in the city of Olsztyn that was developed in close collaboration with several local, national and international partners.
South Africa road safety official to address GRSP-SA annual meeting (12-10-2009)
Mr. Ranthoko Rakgoale, the CEO of the Road Traffic Management Corporation of South Africa, will be the guest speaker at the GRSP-South Africa 2nd Annual General Meeting on Oct. 29.
Asia road safety seminar rallies around ‘Decade of Action’ on road safety (12-10-2009)
More than 200 people representing 20 countries gathered in Singapore this week for the Global Road Safety Partnership's 7th Annual Asia Road Safety Seminar, a three-day event that brought government officials, road safety experts and international businesses together to respond to the growing road safety crisis in low- and middle-income countries.
Southern African corridor study paves way for regional road safety cooperation (06-10-2009)
The first comprehensive road safety study of a key transport corridor transecting southern Africa has been released, paving the way for greater regional road safety partnership and cooperation along a diverse and increasingly busy 2,310-kilometer roadway.
Seminar to unite road-safety practitioners around UN call for “A Decade of Action” (06-10-2009)
More than 1.2 million people die on the world's roads every year, and as many as 50 million others are injured - the largest proportion of these being in the highly populated Asia region. To help reverse this trend, the annual GRSP ASIA Road Safety Seminar, which convenes this week in Singapore, seeks to unite Asian road safety practitioners, governments and business around the United Nation's call for a Decade of Action on road safety.
World’s 12th largest nation, The Philippines, forms road safety partnership (05-10-2009)
In an effort to stem the rise of crash-related death and injury, the government of the Philippines has joined with civil society groups and private companies to create a new, national road safety partnership.
Helmet wearing rises in Cambodian capital after education and enforcement campaign (02-10-2009)
The rate of helmet wearing among motorcycle drivers in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh has more than tripled between June 2008 and August 2009, according to a recent report released by Handicap International Belgium (HIB).
GRSP shares low-cost technology for vulnerable road users in Africa (22-09-2009)
Along with the Roads Authority of Namibia and the Association of Southern African National Roads Agencies, GRSP co-hosted the 4th African Transportation Technology Transfer Conference in Windhoek, Namibia, Aug. 31-Sept. 4. GRSP representatives facilitated a course on "Road Safety Measures for Vulnerable Road Users," which emphasized low-cost countermeasures that make a maximum impact on road safety.
GRSP helps Europe “Praise” good fleet safety practices (22-09-2009)
GRSP will participate this week in the first country seminar organized as part of the European Traffic Safety Council's new project, "Preventing Road Accidents and Injuries for the Safety of Employees" (or PRAISE) that aims to increase road safety in the work context. The country seminar takes place Sept. 24 in Warsaw and will address measures to improve fleet safety in Poland.
GRSP Zambia off to running start (10-08-2009)
The recently established GRSP Zambia has hit the ground running, setting up ten-member steering committee including members from government, civil society and business, as well continuing its seat-belt campaign and securing a hosting agreement from the Zambian Red Cross.
Oman holds first national road safety workshop (11-06-2009)
The first national workshop on road safety in Oman was held 9-10 June, under the auspices of H.E. Lieutenant General Malik bin Suleiman Al Mamari, Inspector General of Police and Customs, at the Grand Hyatt in Muscat.
GRSP contributes to PRI World Congress (15-07-2009)
Iustina Diaconu, GRSP country manager for Romania, and Andrew Pearce. GRSP CEO, addressed the The World Congress "Young people and innovative road safety solutions" organized by La Prévention Routière Internationale (PRI) in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Bi-lingual brochure brings drivers up to speed on traffic laws (15-08-2009)
A new bilingual traffic brochure that details road transport laws on public roads in Romania and Bulgaria has hit the streets in both countries this summer.
GRSP Hungary launches seat-belt manual (15-09-2009)
GRSP Hungary launched the Hungarian version of the manual on Seat belts and child restraints August 12, during a high-level seminar with the national traffic police, the Hungarian Automobile Club, representatives from the Ministry of Transport, KTI, research and others.
WHO article shows how Sakhalin partnership made seat-belts “cool” (14-09-2009)
The Bulletin of the World Health Organization recently featured a comprehensive seat-belt campaign developed by the Sakhalin Road Safety Partnership (SRSP) that has dramatically increased seat-belt use and yielded evidence of reduced traffic-related injury.
Community helmet use project in Northeastern Thailand honors school and village with best practice a (14-09-2009)
The Community Youth Helmet Use Project (CYHUP) in Northern Thailand has selected Phu Pa Man School and Pa Mai Ngam Village as "Best Practice School" and "Best Practice Village" at the Provincial Level in Khon Kaen Province.
Leave blood in the bank, not on the road (03-07-2009)
Because safe, adequate blood supplies are critical to saving the lives of road traffic crash victims, the IFRC and the International Club 25 organised a 3-day workshop at the 5th International Congress "Meeting the needs for Safe Blood in Africa" in Nairobi, June 25-27. GRSP advisor Andrew Downing joined the event to give advice on road safety and facilitate the inclusion of road safety in the Clubs' future health-promotion plans.
GRSP Namibia seat-belt study makes news (03-09-2009)
Numerous articles in nation-wide newspapers reported on GRSP Namibia's 2009 seat-belt attitudes study, which showed that while awareness about safety restraints is relatively high, use is still low.
Solferino puts youth in driver’s seat (03-09-2009)
The power of youth to address future humanitarian crises - and the role of road safety programmes in preventing death and suffering - were central themes as the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement celebrated its 150th anniversary in late June.
Queensland Police and GRSP help Cambodia with radars, breathalyzers (03-09-2009)
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) made a significant donation of surplus equipment including alcohol breath-testing devices and mobile radars to the National Police of Cambodia in July. The 53 breath-testing devices and 18 mobile radars were shipped to the primary donor organization, the Globarl Road Safety Partnership and then delivered to Cambodia.
Safe fleets on the move in India (03-09-2009)
People Moving People, a comprehensive and innovative safe-fleets programme in Bangalore, India, continues to gain momentum this summer with the July adoption of the programme within Accenture, the global consulting, technology and outsourcing firm, and the August addition of Wipro Technologies, which is engaging the voluntary programme at its electronic city campus.
GRSP marks 10 years combating road deaths (30-06-2009)
June 25, Geneva, CH - Road safety specialists, public health officials, civil society groups and industry leaders from around the world met in Geneva, Switzerland to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Global Road Safety Partnership, the first worldwide coalition of business, civil society and government formed to reduce road crashes and injury in low- and middle-income countries.
GRSP-Romania launches Speed Management project (15-06-2009)
GRSP-Romania with the support of its members – 3M, Safe Drive and the National Union of the Road Hauliers from Romania (UNTRR) – organized a two-day speed management workshop in Bucharest, March 31st – April 1st.
Reporting Session: Improving Vulnerable Road User Safety at Junctions in Beijing (17-06-2009)
Roughly 80 people gathered at China People’s Plaza in Beijing on May 26 to hear a report on the outcome of the GRSI Beijing Vulnerable Road User Safety Project and attend the launch the Chinese version of the good practice manual ofDesign & Operational Guide on Vulnerable Road User Safety at Junctions
Vietnam Drink-Drive workshop, HÀ NỘI, 24/3/2009 (03-04-2009)
More than 300 people attended Vietnam’s first-ever national drink-drive seminar to contribute ideas for the development of a national drink-drive action plan and to agree on prioritised activities to reduce the drinking and driving.
Seat belt manual launched by UN road safety group (13-02-2009)
Wearing a seat-belt can reduce the risk of death in a road crash by up to 50% and is one of the most effective measures for preventing injury for vehicle occupants. Yet in many countries seat belt use is still not required or enforced.
Road safety good practice manuals - have your say! (12-01-2009)
The UN Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) is seeking input on the three good practice manuals published to date by leading members WHO, GRSP, the World Bank and the FIA Foundation.
GRSP seeks to recruit a Resource Mobilisation Manager (12-01-2009)
The Resource Mobilisation Manager will have responsibility for the development and implementation of a global fundraising strategy to increase resources for the Global Road Safety Partnership.
GRSP Hungary helps Europe ride for fewer road crashes involving powered two wheelers - EuroRide 2009 (12-01-2009)
GRSP Hungary together with other coalition partners submitted a proposal to the European Commission for a Europe-wide project aiming to reduce the number of road crashes and road crash injuries involving riders of PTW.
GRSP Poland helps make fleets safer (12-01-2009)
GRSP Poland organised a fleet safety seminar on December 8, 2008 entitled “Safe Fleets – a systems approach”. The seminar targeted fleet and safety managers and covered diverse fleet safety management issues.
WHO and UNICEF launch World report on child injury prevention (11-01-2009)
According to the recently published World report on child injury prevention, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of unintentional death to children 10 - 19 yrs of age and the second leading cause of injury related death for children between 5 - 9 years of age.
West African Road Safety Organization holds first General Assembly (17-11-2008)
In response to the growing incidence of traffic crashes in the western Africa, the West African Road Safety Organization (WARSO) held its first General Assembly in Bamako, Mali on November 3 and 4. GRSP was invited to participate in this meeting.
Asia at the crossroads (13-01-2009)
Building capacity “step-by-step” to meet the driving demands of Asia’s growth
GRSP ASEAN Seminar strengthens collaboration throughout Asia (10-11-2008)
More than 230 people from 22 countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October for GRSP’s ASEAN Road Safety Seminar, an annual gathering that brings together road safety experts, government ministers and safety advocates to share experiences and strengthen collaboration on a wide range of regional initiatives.
Brazil City, GRSP Partner, earns top national road safety award (10-11-2008)
The city of Saõ José dos Campos, one of 20 Brazilian towns working with GRSP under road safety partnership agreements, has won a prestigious XVII Prêmio Volvo Segurança no Trânsito road safety award.
Launch of Chinese version of good practice Manual on Speed Management (22-09-2008)
On Sept. 22, a press conference was held on in the afternoon in Beijing Jianguo Hotel to launch the Chinese version of the Speed Management Manual and to introduce the MOC/GRSI Speed Management project in China.
Launch event of Guangxi Drinking and driving project (14-05-2008)
GRSP launched a drinking and driving prevention campaign in Guangxi, China on 8 and 9 May under the motto "For the happiness of your family and yourself, do not drink and drive!"
New Chief Executive for GRSP (18-04-2008)
GRSP is pleased to announce that Mr Andrew Pearce will take up the post of Chief Executive of GRSP in April, on the retirement of David Silcock.
New speed management manual - small changes can result in significant improvements (03-03-2008)
The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) is launching the third in a series of good practice road safety manuals, this one entitled Speed management, a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners. Produced under the leadership of the GRSP, it aims to give the reader step-by-step guidance to implement road safety measures which have proven effective in reducing the number of deaths and injuries from road crashes.
Motorcycle helmets in Vietnam – a success story (30-01-2008)
Vietnam had around 16 million registered motorcycles in October 2005, approximately one motorcycle per five persons. In the same year 70% of the 17,000 road crashes involved motorcyclists, and hospital reports suggest that 88% died as a result of head trauma . Surveys carried out for GRSP at the end of 2006 showed that, in cities, only 10% of motorcyclists wore a helmet. On major inter-city roads wearing rates were higher – around 60%. At the time of the surveys helmet wearing was only enforced on some inter-city roads. There was a marked reluctance amongst the public to wear helmets – known colloquially as ‘rice cookers’ – in the hot and humid summer climate of Vietnam.
The world has lost a hero (28-01-2008)
Road crashes can take the life of anyone, even those who dedicate their lives to crash prevention and to rescuing crash victims. On Wednesday, 23 January, John Noble, Central Scotland Fire & Rescue and a member of the World Rescue Organisation, was killed in a road crash while attending an incident. John devoted most of his time to saving others from death. Where is the justice?
Sakhalin: rescue and pre-hospital care (03-12-2007)
Prompt and appropriate pre-hospital care combined with effective rescue procedures can significantly improve the survival chances of a road crash victim and reduce the likelihood of secondary injuries. Unfortunately, the capacity to provide even a basic level of combined technical rescue and medical care does not exist in many parts of the world.
Japan Social Development Fund supports GRSP's work in Thailand (23-11-2007)
GRSP's efforts to increase helmet wearing as a part of the Global Road Safety Initaitive programme in the ASEAN region received additional support on 20 November from the Japanese Government's Social Development fund at the World Bank through a $859,200 grant.
Sakhalin Road Safety Work recognised by award (23-11-2007)
Sakhalin Energy (SEIC) was awarded the "Energy Institute 2007 Safety Award” for the Sakhalin Energy Road Safety Programme and the Sakhalin Road Safety Partnership programmes. The Energy Institute Awards recognise individuals and organisations in the global energy industry for setting new standards of excellence and innovation.
Recruitment of GRSP Chief Executive reopened (16-11-2007)
The GRSP Executive Committee has chosen to re-open the search for a new Chief Executive of GRSP to replace David Silcock, who is retirning in Spring 2008. The position will be advertised and GRSP is following IFRC processes to identify and select a successor as the IFRC hosts the GRSP programme and employs its staff.
GRSP and the Indonesian Ministry of Transport organise helmet workshop in Jakarta (13-11-2007)
GRSP and the Indonesian Ministry of Transport hosted a Helmet Action Plan Workshop in Jakarta on 5 – 6 November. The aim of the workshop was to facilitate the development of an action plan to increase helmet wearing in Indonesia, as road crashes involving riders of motorcycles are a leading cause of death and injury on the country’s roads.
The Sakhalin Road Safety Partnership produces results (11-10-2007)
The Sakhalin Road Safety Partnership (SRSP) has initiated a series of targeted pilot and demonstration projects, which are producing results.
GRSI supports continuity in road safety in the ASEAN region (08-10-2007)
The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) initiated and supported the GRSP/ASEAN + China Road Safety Seminar held in Bali, Indonesia, on the 6th and 7th of September. The seminar was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through the Directorate of Land Transport.
The Polish Road Safety Partnership launches handbooks on fleet safety (08-10-2007)
The Polish Road Safety Partnership launched the second edition of their "Fleet Safety" Project on 27 September in a high-profile event hosted by the World Bank in Poland and opened by the World Bank's Country Manager, Oscar de Bruyn Corps. The launch of the new edition of the "Fleet Safety Guidlines" was attended by the CEOs and Managing Directors of the member companies and organisations and followed by a press-conference. The event also review progress made by the Partnership in 2007, including the many activities undertaken as part of Global Road Safety Week (see GRSP website)and preparations for an 8 October debate among Poland's leading political parties on road safety, organised by the Partnership.
The European Red Cross Road Safety Project 2007-2008 (08-10-2007)
With more than 100 deaths a day due to road crashes in European Union (EU) countries, EU Red Cross Societies are making road safety a priority. Beginning in 2001, they have implemented three regional road safety campaigns, with a special focus on children and young people. The campaigns, coordinated by the Federation’s Red Cross EU office in Brussels, have benefited from the consistent support of the European Commission and Toyota Motor Europe. The 2007- 2008 project will also be supported by Tom Tom company. GRSP is providing technical support and guidance in to the project.
GRSP/ASEAN Road Safety Seminar (21-09-2007)
GRSP hosted the GRSP/ASEAN Road Safety Seminar - Challenges and Opportunities on the 6-7 September in Bali, Indonesia. The seminar was the fifth of its kind in the Asian region. Previous seminars were held in Japan (2001), Viet Nam (2002), Thailand (2003) and Malaysia (2004).
Thailand: Helmets for the King (20-09-2007)
The 'Helmets for the King' project was very successfully launched at the end of August in Thailand. The campaign offered discounted crash helmets (80 THB or 2.50USD) bearing the emblem of His Majesty the King's 80th birthday celebration. Eighty organisations, among them Thailand GRSP and Thailand GRSP members, participated and 80,000 helmets were distributed throughout the country.
Road Safety on Four Continents preliminary programme (18-09-2007)
The preliminary programme for the the 14th International Conference RS4C is now available and can be dowloaded by clicking here.
Launch of Chinese version of good practice Manual on Drinking and Driving (10-09-2007)
The Chinese version of Drinking and Driving - A Road Safety Manual For Decision-Makers and Practitioners was today jointly launched by the Health Human Resource Development Centre (HHRDC) of the Ministry of Health, the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recruitment of GRSP Chief Executive (31-08-2007)
GRSP’s current Chief Executive, David Silcock, intends to retire in the Spring of 2008.
Progress made on many fronts in Bangalore (23-07-2007)
For October GRSP is planning to launch its manual on drinking and driving and organise a high level workshop involving senior Federal and State government officials to develop an action plan against drinking and driving in India. The event will be coordinated by the Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance (IAPA), the National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Science (NIMHANS) and GRSP.
Helmet wearing made compulsory on all roads in Viet Nam after GRSI workshop & action plan (06-07-2007)
GRSP’s work under GRSI has been formally acknowledged by the government of Viet Nam as leading to mandatory helmet wearing on all roads in the country, and upgrading helmet standards, as expressed in a letter of thanks to GRSP from Mr. Bui Huynh Long of the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC).
TARC expands its scope of activities (06-07-2007)
The Thailand Accident Research Centre (TARC) was established in 2003 with support from GRSP partner Volvo Cars, the World Bank and the Thai Department of Highway under the Ministry of Transport to provide a national centre for collecting data on the road crash problem in Thailand. The Centre is run and hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology. From its inception, TARC has been working to develop a knowledge base on crash investigation, analysis, technical know-how and local capacity building.
Cambodia: More deaths on roads than in minefields (27-06-2007)
In Cambodia, more people are killed by not wearing crash helmets than by unexploded remnants of war. Thanks to demining and education programmes, the numbers being killed by the millions of mines that still lie buried in the country is down to about one a day. However, the increasingly busy roads claim four lives a day three of them motorcyclists without helmets. Report by Kanyasorn Tansubhapol, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Regional Information Officer in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
14th Road Safety on Four Continents Conference (21-06-2007)
With financial support from Sida, GRSP has been closely involved as a co-sponsor of the 14th 'RoadSafety on Four Continents' conference, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 November 2007. GRSP's goal is to broaden the geographic spread of presenters by offering financial support to authors from developing countries whose paper is accepted on scientific grounds.
Malaysia joins GRSP (01-06-2007)
On 30 May 2007, Malaysia officially joined the GRSP programme. A memorandum of understanding between the Government, GRSP and GRSP host the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was signed by the Transport Ministry’s Secretary General, Datuk Zakaria Bahari and IFRC Asia Pacicic Service Center head Ole Johan Hauge to cement the relationship.
United Nations Global Road Safety Week (20-04-2007)
Road crashes take the lives of 1.2 million people every year. Studies indicate that 40% of those dying on the world's roads are under 25 years of age. The first United Nations Global Road Safety Week is being held the week of 23 - 29 April 2007 to draw attention to the global road safety crisis with a particular focus on the plight of young road users.
Drinking and Driving: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners is now available (20-04-2007)
The international good practice manual Drinking and Driving, a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners, produced under the leadership of GRSP, is now available in both electronic and printed form. The manual is the second in a series of road safety good practice manuals being published as part of the UN Road Safety Collaboration series. The purpose of the manual is to inform readers of practical ways to develop coordinated and integrated programmes to reduce drinking and driving (including two-wheelers). In many countries as road users who are impaired by alcohol have a significantly higher risk of being involved in a crash involving death and severe injuries. The World report on road traffic injury prevention identifies programmes aimed at preventing drinking and driving as a proven effective measure to reduce death and injury on the road. To download the manual click here.
IFRC - GRSP Road Safety Toolkit (20-04-2007)
GRSP has collaborated with the Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on the production of a practical road safety guidebook that provides a summary of road safety problems and good practice solutions worldwide. The toolkit targets in particular the Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies and aims to motivate them to make an even greater effort to improve the road safety situation in their respective countries by highlighting already existing good practice solutions and noting that road safety lies within the moral mandate of the IFRC to prevent human suffering.
Helmet Action Plan Workshop in Vietnam (24-01-2007)
Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in association with the National Traffic Safety Committee of Vietnam (NTSC), French Red Cross (FRC) and Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIPF) conducted the third in a series of national workshops in ASEAN to produce action plans for helmet wearing.
Helmet Action Plan Workshop in Laos (24-01-2007)
Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in association with the Lao PDR Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction (MCTPC) and Handicap International Belgium (HIB) conducted the second in a series of national workshops to produce action plans for helmet wearing.
Special report: GRSP organises workshop to develop an action plan for helmet wearing in Thailand (28-09-2006)
In an effort to convince more two wheel riders to wear a helmet, the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) organised an Action Plan for Helmet Wearing Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of August. The gathering brought together 65 participants from government and private agencies working on road safety, traffic policy and planning in Thailand as well as observers from other countries in the region.
Sakhalin Island, Russia – pre-hospital care initiative (28-09-2006)
A project to enhance the capacities of road safety professionals (police, fire, medical) operating at the scene of a road crash was launched by the Sakhalin Road Safety Partnership in July with financial support from Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd (SEIC). The main aim of the project is to improve the ability of these professionals to save lives and prevent injuries at the crash scene through targeted skill enhancement training and the provision of relevant equipment.
Launch of UN Collaboration Helmet Manual (25-08-2006)
On August 29, 2006, WHO launched an international manual to advise road safety professionals on how to increase the use of helmets. The launch, in Bangkok, Thailand, opened the first of a series of workshops prepared by GRSP under the GRSI programme in the ASEAN region, which will deliver country helmet action plans.
GRSP membership expands on the international and national levels (26-07-2006)
GRSP is pleased to welcome three new global members, who have joined GRSP in the first half of 2006. The global energy company Chevron is GRSP's newest member. GRSP's underlying principle of working in partnership to improve road safety is an approach Chevron strongly believes in.
GRSI ASEAN - Situational Helmet Wearing Study (11-07-2006)
The WHO is soon to launch the Good Practice Guide for Helmet Wearing. GRSP is undertaking action plan development using the Guide in selected ASEAN countries, the first being Thailand. The action plan will be developed in a three day workshop where participants will be informed by a helmet wearing situation study which includes surveys to establish wearing levels in selected provinces. The Transport Research Centre from King Mongkut University has been selected to conduct the study which has commenced.
GRSP 2006 Annual Meeting, Moscow, 21st – 22nd June (07-07-2006)
GRSP’s 2006 Annual Meeting was held in Moscow on the 21st and 22 of June. The meeting was organised in cooperation between DaimlerChrysler Russia and the Russian Automobile Federation, a new GRSP member. The Moscow meeting was well attended by GRSP partners and observers from Russia and aimed to
"Make Roads Safe Report" – launch of report in Russia at the 2006 GRSP annual meeting in Moscow (13-01-2009)
The 2006 GRSP Annual Meeting served as a platform for the launch in Russia of the "Make Roads Safe" Report.
Challenge Bibendum (05-07-2006)
The 8th Challenge Bibendum was held in Paris from the 8th to 12th of June with the aim of addressing three primary issues, including technology and road safety. The primary aim of the Challenge Bibendum is to spotlight the most significant advances in sustainable mobility through practical demonstrations. GRSP CEO David Silcock and Advisor Gérard Lautrédou participated in the event and hosted an information booth on GRSP. David Silcock also participated in a high-level panel on road safety and was the final speaker, summarizing road safety activities of the Challenge Bibendium Forum on 12th June. For more information on the event, see www.challengebibendum.com
Beijing: “Improving Safety for Vulnerable Road Users at Junctions" (27-04-2006)
The Beijing junction project is the first project being taken forward in China as a part of the GRSI. In March, a formal kick-off meeting of the Beijing Junction Project was held in March with senior officials of all relevant partners and Chinese road safety experts. In addition, a training workshop was held on April 26-27 for the project team.
Safe Fleets – Project kick-off in Poland (27-04-2006)
Partners of the Partnerstwa dla Bezpieczenstwa Drogowego (Road Safety Partnership) kicked-off their safe fleet initiative on 20 April. The kick-off was hosted by DaimlerChrysler Polska. After producing guidelines on the issue of improving fleet safety in 2005, partners have developed a training programme that targets company CEOs and CFOs as well as fleet managers, human resources and public relations. : Click here to view and download the guidelines (in Polish)