The world is facing a silent but devastating pandemic on its highways, where road traffic crashes are claiming more lives each year than many well-known diseases, yet rarely command the same level of urgency or headlines. The United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, has sounded the alarm on this mounting crisis, calling for urgent and coordinated global action to save lives and reduce the staggering toll of injuries caused by preventable accidents.
During a visit to Nigeria, Mr. Todt was received by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. In his remarks, the UN envoy described the scale of the tragedy as “catastrophic,” noting that more than 1.2 million people are killed every year in road traffic crashes worldwide. Beyond these fatalities, millions more suffer life-altering injuries that often result in permanent disability, loss of livelihood, and long-term social and economic consequences for families and communities.
“This is not just a transportation issue; it is a public health and development crisis,” Todt said. “The scale of road traffic crashes across the globe is nothing short of catastrophic. This is a silent pandemic that continues to claim lives daily, and unless governments, institutions, and individuals take decisive action, the numbers will only rise.” His message underscores the urgent need to elevate road safety to the same priority level as infectious diseases, climate change, and other global threats.
Todt commended Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps for its decades of leadership in enforcing road safety laws, developing life-saving legislation, and promoting road safety education. However, he stressed that enforcement alone will not be enough to stem the tide of accidents. He called for a cultural shift in the way road users—drivers, passengers, and pedestrians perceive and engage with traffic systems. The adoption of the Safe System Approach, which emphasizes safer roads, safer vehicles, responsible road users, stronger enforcement, and effective post-crash emergency care, was highlighted as essential to achieving sustainable change.
In his response, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries. He emphasized that the FRSC remains resolute in aligning its operations with international best practices and strengthening partnerships with global institutions. Mohammed assured the envoy that Nigeria is determined to make its highways safer through continuous public education, stronger legislation, investment in safer infrastructure, and improved emergency response systems.
The global burden of road crashes extends beyond the loss of lives, imposing heavy economic costs on nations. According to experts, low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest brunt of this crisis, with road crashes often stripping families of breadwinners and draining healthcare systems already struggling with other priorities. Advocates stress that safer road systems and stronger preventive measures could save hundreds of thousands of lives annually and ease pressure on public resources.
As the UN intensifies its global advocacy for road safety, Todt’s warning serves as a reminder that road crashes are neither inevitable nor beyond human control. With stronger political will, sustained investment, and collective responsibility, the “silent pandemic” on the world’s highways can be curbed, ensuring safer roads and healthier communities for future generations.
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