STOP ROAD CRASHES!!

Road traffic injury is a global crisis claiming 1.2 million lives annually and the developing countries account for about 90% of such fatalities. The PATVORA Organisation is working to end this. Our aim is to bring road crashes to the top of the social policy agenda. This site will focus public attention on the high rate of fatality on the roads and will publicise views of those who are interested in saving lives on the roads. We believe that road crashes are no longer accidents, they are highly preventable and they have causes, they don't simply befall us from fate or bad luck.

Speak against road crashes

We don’t need your money, just your Voice. Please voice concerns about the growing road fatalities. Listed below are views of world leaders that may help you do so.

Many people have spoken and more are speaking. If you are a role model, community leader or celebrity in your community and you share our concerns on road safety crisis, this is the time to speak.

The PATVORA Organisation welcomes suggestions from the public on links to individuals that can make the difference. Please nominate an individual.

Other opinions are viewable by clicking here.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, United Kingdom

"Road traffic injuries hit the most deprived communities the hardest. In the UK, the poorest children are five times more likely to die on our roads than the better off. And this picture is replicated around the globe. Each year more than one million people die world wide as the result of road crashes and collisions. And 50 million more are injured. So the scale of the problem is hard to over estimate By 2020 road injuries could overtake HIV and tuberculosis to rank third in the causes of premature death and disability around the world." source: WHO

President George W. Bush, United States of America

"Today the death toll from traffic injuries is highest in developing countries and it continues to grown as nations become more prosperous and motorized. In the United States, traffic accidents remain the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 35." source: WHO

President Janez Drnovšek, Republic of Slovenia

(Slovenian translated into English) "Each life is precious. Road accidents have destructive personal consequences on the victims, families and communities and have, as consequence, significant negative social ramifications. This is why we should spare no effort to achieve even more in the area of road safety."

source: WHO

President Girma Wolde Giorgis, Ethiopia

"We must not accept road traffic accident as an inevitable side effect of development. Leaving the issue of traffic problems to any single body is unthinkable. The road transport authority, police, health and law professionals, insurance companies etc. should forge a strong sense of cooperation and work in unison towards the realization of safer streets. World health day 2004 on road safety is what our country Ethiopia needs. The country will use this day to promote and ensure use of seat belts, action against speeding motorists and those driving under the influence of alcohol." source: WHO

President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

"The theme “Road Safety is no accident" is relevant to both developed and developing countries. The challenge for Timor Leste, which is also a challenge to all countries, is to have a strong and sustained political will to make the road an environment that is safe for all. My vision is for roads that are well built and designed; roads with responsible drivers, passengers and pedestrians: roads with road worthy vehicles; roads without accidents and ultimately, roads occupied by happy, smiling and healthy people of all nations. source: WHO

His Excellency General Mathieu KEREKOU, Republic of Benin

The rise in the number of road-traffic injuries is a growing phenomenon on account of the heavy use of motor vehicles for land transport where, in response to a soaring population, the transport needs of the so-called "developing countries" are increasing day by day. Road traffic injuries are no accident. They are the result of an adverse combination of factors involving the environment, vehicles and human behaviour. This explains the importance of consciousness-raising, education and training for all categories of road user throughout the world. Lastly, by combining efforts, exchanging experience and pooling knowledge it will be possible efficaciously to control road-traffic injuries. source: WHO

President Romano Prodi, European Commission

"Improving road safety worldwide is a shared responsibility, calling for a strong commitment at all levels, political and administrative, national and international, regional and local authorities, private companies and last but not least individual citizens." source: WHO

His Majesty Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal

"As road traffic injuries remain amongst the top global causes of death, transcending all boundaries and nationalities, it is time for this issue to be addressed in a global way. Statistics show that the highest number of road fatalities and disabilities take place in the developing countries of Asia, where pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and public transport users are most vulnerable." source: WHO

President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria

Most of these accidents could have been prevented if drivers exercised appropriate caution and avoided recklessness. Nigerians should avoid night road trips, except such trips are absolutely necessary.

President Olusegun Obasanjo in expressing deep concern over the recent spate of fatal accidents on the nation’s highways. Nationwide statement, 24 January 2005

When I was a junior officer in the corps of army engineering where you have to ride the motorcycle because we had to go out on what is called reconnaissance. Somewhere in Jos area, I fell and what saved me at that time was that I wore a helmet. We should also include helmet for protection of people.

Welcoming address to the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcyclists Owners and Riders Association at State House Abuja. August 9^th 2004

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand

"Effective and sustainable prevention of road traffic injuries can only be achieved through concerted multisectoral collaboration. In Thailand, road traffic accident is one of the important health problems, which has caused significant economic and social losses. Such a problem has always been one of the top three serious health problems, in terms of burden of disease. It has been estimated that over 30% of inpatient beds of the hospitals under the Thai Ministry of Public Health are occupied by road traffic accident victims, who usually require more bed-days than other categories of inpatients. And each year, due to these kind of accidents, there are more than 13,000 deaths, more than one million injuries, and tens of thousands of disabilities." source: WHO

President Festus Mogae, Bostwana

Alcohol is a contributory factor, not only in the case of HIV but also to road accidents. A lot of young people here own cars and they drive them fast and they die like flies on the roads. Yes, that is associated with alcohol. We are thinking about it, in fact we have a liquor law in draft to maybe reduce the opening hours for liquor outlets and various other measures. In Botswana, 30% of the orphans are orphaned because of road accidents. SOURCE: BBC Talking- BBC News Online.

The Secretary General, United Nations, Kofi Anan

"Road safety injuries are a global problem affecting all sectors of society. To date, road safety has received insufficient attention at the international and national levels. This has resulted in part from: a lack of information on the magnitude of the problem and its preventability; a fatalistic approach to road crashes; and a lack of the political responsibility and multidisciplinary collaboration needed to tackle it effectively. However, much can be done to reduce the problem of road crashes....." Source FIA foundation