Road accidents occur in the millions worldwide each year. Many of them take place due to negligence and other mechanical factors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that in 2013 alone, road mishaps claimed the lives of 1.25 million people around the world and low-income countries had the highest road traffic fatality rates. Nearly half of all deaths involved people with the least protection such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
The 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety, meanwhile, pointed out there’s been progress in improving road safety laws and making vehicles safer but urgent action is still needed to achieve the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Thankfully, charities dedicated to road safety are doing their best to reduce the number of deaths and injuries of people traveling by land.
GEM Road Safety
GEM Motor Assist Foundation was formed in 1932 but was registered as a road safety charity only in 1983. As a research and campaigning organization, it supports campaigns focused on road safety across the United Kingdom.
In recent years, GEM spearheaded various campaigns to help raise awareness on keeping one’s self safe on the road whether as a driver, pedestrian or cyclist. Video tutorials made up a major part of these campaigns. The latest one was aimed at helping older drivers and passengers experience comfort while on the road and explained the effects of ageing when driving as well as in getting in and out of the car. Another project produced three short films entitled “Still Safe to Drive” focusing on older drivers who still comprise a significant proportion of road users. Still another short video was created to show the distraction caused by illegal use of mobile phones while driving.
Brake
Brake is a UK-based humanitarian charity which envisions a world with zero road deaths and injuries and where people can lead a safe, healthy and enjoyable life. But since this goal is still far from being achieved, the organization is taking action by supporting the people left behind by those killed in road accidents. Since 1995, the members of this charity have also been working to put an end to the danger and pollution caused by traffic in the U.K.
Brake is working towards its objectives by launching campaigns, community education and providing relevant information and advice to organizations that operate vehicles and road safety professionals. Currently, it managing an existing expert helpline that provides support to help families of crash victims deal with their loss and situation. Each year, this helpine along supports more than 500 families.
Australian Road Safety Foundation
This non-profit organization is dedicated to improving road safety awareness and driver education as well as lower the impact of road trauma. With its three focus areas namely education, advocacy and research, this foundation aims to develop research and educational programs and take action to urge policy makers to address problems related to road safety. Some of its notable projects are on the expansion of the Fatality Free Friday National Road Safety Campaign, implementation of a national road safety program for students, provision of training resources for students and parents and development of the first Australian National Road Safety Awards Program.
Originally posted on April 15, 2016 @ 4:00 pm