News & Blog

COVID-19 Impact on the Future of Mobility and Road Safety

Only five months into 2020, the COVID-19 global crisis has changed life as we knew it. Although at times the present resembles a work of fiction, the unprecedented effects on civilization are nothing but real. Mobility and climate change go hand in hand as lockdowns have made it even more visible. In these areas, the unfortunate pandemic produced an unexpected, positive impact on the environment, as a result of travel bans and millions of people staying at home due to COVID-19 related restrictions.

Hear a podcast interview with our staff member Manpreet Darroch

Recently, our Head of Communications, Manpreet Darroch undertook an interview in his home country with Room 9 Media in a new series of podcast run by this creative company. Room 9 Media was started in 2011 by John and Denise Billington. They have years of experience in safer and sustainable travel, communications and education.  They have been developing new and exciting resources ever since. Right from the start, their objectives have been simple: to tackle the issues children and families face on the roads. So whether it’s pedestrian safety, parking problems or sustainable travel, tey seek to deliver a memorable message that’s both relevant and engaging.

Check out the Highlights video and reports from the World Youth Assembly

Only a few months back we were wrapped up warm in Stockholm, Sweden for the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety. This momentous event we as YOURS helped initiate was a stepping stone for the youth and road safety movement globally. We are super excited to share the Highlights Video from the Assembly and the full report illustrating the concept of the Assembly all the way through to the execution and follow up.

Impact Generator Challenge winners start to develop their skills with YOURS

For the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety, all young delegates were invited to present original, impactful, and innovative projects to address the most urgent and pressing needs outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These projects addressed topics such as environment, human rights, health, sustainable cities, equality and any other SDG that had a connection with road safety.

A letter from the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration to WHO

Our colleagues at the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) have joined hands to show support for the World Health Organization during these unprecedented times. You can read the letter written to Dr Tedros, Director General of the WHO hereunder, written by David Ward of the Towards Zero Foundation, on behalf of the UNRSC.

What does COVID-19 mean for road safety? A Global Alliance perspective

With nearly every country around the world either battling to cope with outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus or preparing and monitoring in anticipation, people’s lives have changed dramatically in the last month. It has implications for nearly every area of our lives and our work. Road safety is no exception. We unpack several areas below with inputs from our members and other sources.

In a Global Health Emergency, the Bicycle Shines - Citylabs perspective

Speaking in Parliament in London, UK,  earlier this year, Chris Boardman, the former Olympian cyclist and the walking and cycling commissioner of Manchester, said: “Pick a crisis, and you’ll probably find cycling is a solution.” He was talking about climate, health and air pollution, but he also might as well have been talking about coronavirus.

Brian's Column: Comparing the fatalities of Coronavirus & Road Crashes is wrong

In uncertain times, where the world is seeing unprecedented changes, our regular columnist reflects on the COVID19 pandemic and the way it is being discussed in development circles. Remember, stay safe and #StayHome.

Watch the speeches, performances and discussions from the WYA in video!

Its been just over a month since we celebrated the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety. Of course, the world has changed dramatically in the face of a global pandemic meaning, if the Assembly was scheduled just a month later, it would not have happened! So, we are truly grateful and thankful that our injection of energy into the global youth movement for road safety was able to take place while many crucial events for road safety are being postponed. With that in mind, we look back at a super successful event through videos from the event that cover speeches, performances and discussions.  

Check out the pictures from the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety!

February was an epic month for road safety action. We celebrate the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety with more than 160 youth leaders from 75 countries. A culmination of lots of hard work from the Global Youth Taskforce for Road Safety and key partners, the Assembly was a big success, bringing together a new wave of youth to take action in road safety and beyond. A major step forward in youth and road safety advocacy was the adoption of the Global Youth Statement for Road Safety.

Download the Global Youth Statement on Road Safety! #ClaimingOurSpace

We are back fresh from Sweden after a monumental week for youth and road safety! On the 18th February, we marked the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety, bringing together nearly 200 young leaders from all across the world. Months of consultations and amalgamation of youth opinions from around the world culminated in the Global Youth Statement on Road Safety.

Young leaders from 75 countries to say “enough is enough” to road crashes at WYA

What is the price young people have to pay for mobility? Over one thousand youth are killed every day globally because of road crashes – the most affected are aged 15-29 years old. The 2 nd World Youth Assembly (WYA) will engage and involve young leaders from across the world. At the Assembly, they will be inspired and empowered with the skills and knowledge needed for them to act on issues anchored in road safety and safe mobility. But this is not just any event. The Assembly is entirely youth-driven and organized by a Global Youth Taskforce of young leaders convened by global NGO YOURS – Youth for Road Safety.

The 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety - 2 weeks to go!

Road traffic crashes are the number one public health threat facing young people aged 15-29, yet all over the world, youth are excluded from the systems that decide how mobility is shaped. This needs to change. How can policy be effectively designed, implemented, and evaluated if we do not include the input and involvement of those impacted most?

YOURS recommeded for "Consultative Status" at UN ECOSOC

The NGO Committee has decided to recommend to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) special consultative status for 16 NGOs. The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.

YOURS supports "The New Paradigm for Safe City Streets" - Polis Network

The 2nd World Youth Assembly is all set for 18th February 2020

18th February is the date for the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety taking place in Stockholm, Sweden. n official pre-event of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. The Assembly will feature a full-day of programming that brings together young advocates, campaigners, and change-agents who are committed to combating road traffic injuries. The Assembly will explore road safety and crosscutting solutions to challenge the number one cause of death for youth (aged 15-29). It will be action-oriented, intergenerational, and inclusive, with the representation of young leaders from all over the world.

Brian's Column: 5 Unforgivable #RoadSafetySins during the festive period

Our regular columnist Brian is back with his final column of the year. The festive season is a time of being merry and enjoying time with friends, family and loved ones but also perhaps a time where #roadsafetysins are more prevalent. Hear Brian's top tips for a safer festive season with his unique perspectives from Africa.

Commonwealth Road Safety Initiative launches report with focus on youth

Every year in Commonwealth countries over 210,000 people are killed in road crashes and millions more are seriously injured. Today road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5-29 years. This is a major challenge for the Commonwealth as over 60% of its countries’ population is under 30. Road safety in the 53 countries of the Commonwealth is very diverse. Fatality rates in road crashes range from 3 to above 30 per 100,000 population. However, in nearly all Commonwealth countries fatality and injury rates are rising rather than falling. Across the Commonwealth, the level of road deaths remains unacceptably high and urgent action is required to prevent the loss of over 2 million lives in the decade to 2030.

See how young people in India have run their Youth Consultations for the WYA

Young people from across the world have been engaging in Youth Consultations for the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety! The Youth Consultations create a space for young people to come together, reflect discuss their futures. We want to hear your proposed solutions to transform our area into safer and sustainable spaces, considering topics such as health, environment, human rights, equality, poverty and other issues related to road safety and mobility. What issues do you face on the road? What could make your journeys safer? What needs to change?

YOURS signs new contract with Government of Belize on youth project

We trained 34 youth in Belize from 2014-2016 and they have gone beyond expectations in reaching a large number of their peers in the country. The group, who have become the registered organization BYRS (Belizean Youth for Road Safety), exceeded their initial target of reaching 2000 young people through face-to-face workshops and extended their expertise to campaigning, producing and distributing road safety PSAs and informally reached thousands of young people through expos and events.