PAHO-WHO Representative-MRS. KAREN ROBERTS

February 01, 2023

Road Safety in Relation to PAHO and WHO Goals

Road safety is a critical component of the broader health and development agenda outlined by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). As part of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these organizations aim to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. This target reflects the urgent need to address road traffic injuries as a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Guyana, where the burden of road-related injuries and fatalities is disproportionately high.

Aligned with PAHO and WHO’s goals, Guyana is advancing measures to improve road safety through strategic initiatives such as better infrastructure, enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness campaigns. These efforts are rooted in the WHO's Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which emphasizes safer roads, vehicles, and road user behavior, as well as prompt post-crash responses. Guyana’s collaboration with PAHO also focuses on data collection and analysis to inform evidence-based strategies for reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities, ensuring progress is measurable and impactful.

Achieving these goals requires a united effort from government, communities, and international partners. By integrating road safety into health and development policies, and leveraging technical support from PAHO and WHO, Guyana can address road traffic injuries as both a public health and socioeconomic issue. Together, these actions will contribute to saving lives, protecting families, and building a future where safe mobility is a right enjoyed by all.