Thank you, Mr. President.  Every year, 1.2 million people around the world die on the roads, over 3000 each day, -- a toll comparable to that of Malaria or Tuberculosis, and 30-50 million are left injured and/or disabled.   Most of these deaths and disabilities occur in developing countries, where the losses take a significant toll on familial and national incomes and reduce gross domestic products by 1% or more, and exceed the funds received in development assistance.  Losses due to road traffic injuries are preventable - - we should not take them for granted, and we should not accept road crashes and their associated costs in human lives as the price we pay for mobility or for economic growth and development.   In the words of the 2007 Global Road Safety theme, "road crashes are no accident."

The United States supports this resolution calling for a ministerial conference on global road safety, to raise global awareness and to elevate the issue of road traffic deaths and injuries and their associated costs to an international dialogue on specific actions all nations can take to minimize this scourge around the world.  Our nation has already done much in support of the recommendations from the World Report and will continue to do more.  We have learned much through the years in terms of both human and technological advancements to reduce road injuries and deaths, yet each year 43,000 lives are lost on our nation’s roads.   

Through human and technological advancements, we have learned much about effective strategies to prevent crashes and reduce road injuries and deaths. We are willing to share those lessons with others who might benefit from our experiences in the US. and around the world. 

Achievements to reduce road traffic deaths will not come easily, or quickly.  It has taken the US decades to curb the rising motor vehicle deaths that peaked in the late 1960s.  It  took time to build safer roads, safer cars, and to educate and train drivers and pedestrians. U.S. government agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department, have worked to advance the progress of global road safety efforts. 

In addition, non-government efforts, as exemplified by the work of active and passionate NGOs have been instrumental in raising support for this issue.  Road safety impacts health, commerce, transportation, and trade.  It is an important economic development issue as well as a global safety concern. A ministerial conference will set into motion the collaboration needed by governments, together with the international community including partners in the non governmental and private sector, to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.  

Under the leadership of the World Health Organization working closely with health, transport, education and other national ministries, as well as the private sector, all working cooperatively, we can achieve greater success to be measured in thousands of lives saved.

Thank you, Mr. President.