Road Safety in 10 Countries

A consortium of partners including the Global Road Safety Partnership, World Health Organisation, Johns Hopkins International School of Public Health, World Bank Global Road safety Facility, Association of Safe International Road Travel and the World Resources Institute (EMBARQ) received funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies to collaborate in a five-year, 125-million-USD programme to reduce death and serious injury on the roads. This programme is across ten low-and middle-income countries that between them, account for 48% of the total road crash deaths and injuries in the world. Dubbed the Road Safety in 10 Countries Project (or RS10 for short), this initiative is in the following 10 countries: Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Russian Federation, Turkey and Vietnam. RS10 will be implemented over five years extending from 2010 to 2014.

In the first two years the consortium partners developed programmes aimed at passing and implementing effective road safety laws and regulations, training of front-line workers, improving road infrastructure, incorporating sustainable transport and reduced emissions in urban planning, and supporting global advocacy on road safety.

Global Road Safety Partnership’s role in the consortium in the first two years of the project (2010-2011) was focussed on capacity development of key road safety stakeholders in each country who were addressing the key risk factor areas of seat belts and child restraints, helmet wearing, drinking and driving and speed management. 
 
A more focused approach to road safety management is occurring in 2012-2012. Together the Consortium is identifying gaps in the legislative framework and ways to strengthen existing laws to optimise the safety of all road users, implementing focussed social marketing campaigns and best practice enforcement to improve road safety outcomes.  
 
As of 2012, we will continue with our capacity building role, particularly in the area of traffic enforcement. We will also be involved in developing and supporting a road safety advocacy programme with selected Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, and managing a small grants programme for NGOs and other road safety stakeholders in the target countries.