Better Road Safety System based on in-depth analysis of road accidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia - Kick off meeting: UNRC Talking Points

Dobardan, dear Mr. Stamenkovic, Director of Road Traffic Safety Agency, Mr. Dzaferovic Assistant Minister from the Ministry of Comms and Transport of BIH, UNECE and WHO colleagues, Experts in road safety,

I am happy to open this important meeting and officially launch the joint UN Road Accident project, a partnership between UNECE, WHO and the government of Serbia - funded by the global UN Road Safety Fund. The project will support national efforts in both countries to combine in-depth analysis with strengthening of the national road safety system and the improvement of road safety legislation, guidelines and standards.

• In-depth analysis is a tool to improve a road safety and will help in the analysis of road accidents and later contribute to the improvement of the road sections with high frequency of road accidents. It will also help to obtain detail knowledge of the mechanism of occurrence of a road accident, especially focusing on finding of the primary causes of its origin, considering the human factor, vehicle, road, and environment, with final aim to trigger improvement of road safety system.

1. A few words on global perspective

Road traffic accidents are currently the eighth leading cause of death worldwide and will become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030 if nothing is done. Every year, 1.35 million people die on the world's roads and leave between 20 and 50 million people with non-fatal injuries. This costs countries 3% of their annual gross domestic product, on average. And it is worth repeating as an introduction that Road accidents and casualties are before all a public health problem, as much as they are a social, ethical, human and economic problem of the community.

Improving road safety is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: In SDG 3 we have an ambitious target to cut in half the number of deaths and injuries caused by road traffic crashes worldwide by 2030;    In SDG 11 (cities), we have a target to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, and to improve road safety, in particular by expanding public transport, paying particular attention to the needs of people in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons by 2030.

In September 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution "Improving global road safety", proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. The UN encourage all Member States to accede to the 7 core road safety-related conventions and agreements.

UNECE is the custodian of 60 transport-related legal instruments and a wide range of regulations and recommendations that, if effectively implemented, will support Member States in achieving the SDGs. WHO chairs the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration and serves as the secretariat for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021– 2030. The Global Plan promotes transport policies and road designs that enable safe walking, cycling and public transport, so they can be prioritized as healthy and environmentally sound modes of transport.

2. In the region, there is progress, not fast enough

Both Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the process of adopting the road safety strategies and action plans, but the laws in both countries don’t recognize in-depth analysis of road accidents as a useful tool for improving road safety.

Serbia is in the process of adopting a new Road Safety Strategy up to 2030 as a key roadmap for achieving significant improvements in road safety. The objectives and targets of the strategy are aligned with relevant international frameworks[1], and recognise the importance of modern road infrastructure management tools. By adopting these tools, the strategy lays a strong foundation for the integration of in-depth analysis as a proactive tool for comprehensive road safety improvement.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina developed a Framework Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan for the period 2022-2026, which is also aligned with international road safety frameworks.  While the strategy recognises the value of tools such as road safety audits and road safety inspections, the inclusion of in-depth analysis is an important step towards a more comprehensive approach to road safety improvement.
• Both countries continue to have a high number of road deaths per million inhabitants compared to the EU average. According to the data for 2021, the EU average is 44.6, while in SRB it is 75.8 and in BiH 67 road deaths per million inhabitants, which is much higher than the EU average. In Serbia, 50% are pedestrians, cyclists and motobikers. Much more could and should be done to save lives on the roads.  .

3. We need a systemic approach to road safety,

which views the entire transport system as a complex mechanism involving laws and policies, law enforcement, infrastructure, drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, urban layouts, awareness and education. It aims to comprehensively identify and address factors that contribute to accidents and injuries. This is one aspect of the project that UNECE/WHO will assist governments in adopting this approach

Enforcement of the traffic laws is essential to discourage risky road behaviour, to hold offenders accountable for their actions and ultimately to reduce accidents and injuries. Among these measures, reduced speed is one of the more effective, and least costly measures to adopt and enforce. One of my calls today is for relevant officials to consider revising down all speed limits.

Improved infrastructure and signalisation has a significant impact on the safety of all road users. Over the last decade, the Western Balkans region has recognised the importance of improving road infrastructure and expanding the motorway network. But no enough, by far, has been done to expand and improve the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Expanding urban cycling infrastructure offers mutual benefits, including reduced congestion, less pollution, less need for parking, and improved health and quality of life for citizens. More generally, improving and reshaping urban space to promote soft and safe mobility is becoming critical, particularly as we need to fight also pollution and warming. The safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and individuals with mobility impairments is a critical aspect of road safety efforts. Protecting vulnerable road users is not only a matter of safety, but also an important step towards creating more inclusive and equitable transport systems. Road safety initiatives should take into account the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these users to ensure that everyone can travel safely.

Investment in education is crucial to road safety, raising awareness, providing essential skills and encouraging responsible behaviour by all road users. This includes learning about the risks of unsafe driving behaviours such as speeding, driving under the influence and distraction. Education should not be limited to drivers of motor vehicles, but should also include pedestrians and cyclists, teaching them safe practices such as crossing roads, using pedestrian crossings and obeying traffic rules.

The indepth analysis approach used in this project will help address all the previously mentioned issues. When enforcement is combined with education and infrastructure improvements, they work together to create safer and more efficient transport systems. Road traffic injuries can be prevented. Governments need to take action to address road safety in a holistic manner through the involvement from multiple sectors such as transport, police, health, education, and actions that address the safety of roads, vehicles, and road users. Hvala

[1] such as the Stockholm Declaration, Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, and the EU road safety policy framework 2021-2030.