Jean Todt(left) with President Kagame
President Kagame received Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, who today jointly launched with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) a campaign to promote safe helmets for all motorcyclists.
“The country takes a huge step to save lives by investing in certified helmets by UN standards. These helmets reduce the risk of death by over 6 times. Wear a helmet and make streets safer for everyone”, Jean Todt said via X.
MININFRA in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and other agencies launched a campaign asking motorists to use high-quality helmets, in order to protect the head of a person riding a motorcycle.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Jimmy Gasore, together with Jean Todt presented 500 helmets, which are said to be of higher quality than the existing ones.
Every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities claims the lives of 1.3 million people, leaving countless others with severe injuries. This silent pandemic overwhelmingly affects developing nations, where over 90% of these tragic incidents occur. Youth, aged 5 to 29, bear the brunt of this crisis, as road injuries are the leading cause of premature deaths.
In response to this urgent global issue, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety is launching an ambitious worldwide campaign called “Make a Safety Statement.” This compelling initiative will unfold across 80 countries from 2023 to 2025 on billboards, bus shelters, and bike-share programs, with a strong presence on social media platforms.
The campaign aims to promote road safety and create secure, inclusive, and sustainable streets worldwide. Fourteen prominent celebrities are involved in this campaign to raise awareness and educate the public on safe driving, viable solutions, and the holistic approach that can save lives on the roads. (End)