The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) which has Dr. Bashir Jamoh as its President has joined the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the campaign for global road safety.
The association which comprises professionals in the transport industry in the country also advocated for what it called “speed measures” to create safe, healthy and livable cities.
The UN Global Road Safety Week has been observed by the UN since 2007 and this year’s edition started yesterday and will end on May 23, 2021.
The association in a statement made available to Maritime Bits said the event is an occasion to garner policy commitments at national and local levels so as to deliver 30km/h (20 mph) speed limits in urban areas and highlight the links between 30 km/h speed limits and attainment of a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health, education, infrastructure, sustainable cities, climate action and partnerships.
According to the statement, this was made public when Jamoh represented by his deputy, Mr. Darlington Offor addressed journalists in Lagos.
He emphasized the need for safety of road users in adherence to the 2021 United Nations Road Safety Week with the theme “Streets for Life and Love 30”.
Offor called on policy makers to limit vehicles speed to 30 km/h (20 mph) where people walk, live and play as the world marks the 6th United Nations Global Road Safety Week.
The Deputy President also stressed the importance of a holistic approach to road safety and improving ongoing road projects and designs, noting that UN annual global reports reveal that speeding is a leading risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries.
His words: “There are over 1.35 million deaths from road accidents while 250,000 deaths are recorded in Africa. According to WHO, 39,000 are recorded in Nigeria of which 40 percent of these fatalities in African countries are pedestrians walking in cities.”
He stated that CIOTA is committed to partnering with relevant agencies and organisations in building capacities so as to implement evidence-based solutions and enhance data quality for better monitoring and planning of the nation’s transport systems.
Research, however, has shown that lowering speed limits in urban areas reduces the risk of fatalities and keeps vulnerable road users safe, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, elders and people with disabilities.
The UN Decade Action Plan from 2021 to 2030 is to encourage and promote policies in walking, cycling and the use of public transport as inherently healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transport.
In the same vein, CIOTA National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika reiterated that association is open to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in bringing interventions that guarantee safer roads in the country and its cities
Anyika also stressed the need to avoid mobile device usage while driving, riding and walking as that remains a cause of road mishaps in recent times.
To mark the event, CIOTA members have been implored to join the 6km street for life walk scheduled for Saturday in all cities.
