The United Nations’ special envoy for road safety, Jean Todt, has called for urgent and relentless action to address road fatalities, which he describes as a “silent pandemic” globally.

Mr Todt made the call during a visit to the Federal Road Safety Corps headquarters in Abuja, where he was received by the corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed.

According to a statement by FRSC on Friday, the special envoy commended Nigeria’s efforts in road safety management.

Mr Todt warned that the scale of road traffic crashes across the world remained catastrophic. According to him, more than 1.2 million people die annually in road crashes, while millions of others suffer life-changing injuries.

“The scale of road traffic crashes across the globe is nothing short of catastrophic. This is a silent pandemic that continues to claim lives daily, and unless governments, institutions, and individuals take decisive action, the numbers will only rise,” he said.

Mr. Todt reiterated the need to entrench the Safe System Approach, which includes education, strict enforcement of traffic laws, safer vehicles, high-quality roads, and effective post-crash care.

He also stressed the need for a cultural shift among motorists, noting that non-compliance with traffic regulations remained a significant contributor to avoidable deaths and injuries.

While acknowledging the FRSC’s strategic achievements and active participation in global road safety engagements, Mr Todt insisted that more still needed to be done to consolidate the gains recorded.

He called on policymakers, transport unions, and road users to work together to end needless carnage on roads.

The corps marshal reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reducing road traffic deaths and injuries. Mr Mohammed restated that the FRSC remains one of the few agencies worldwide that combines legislation, enforcement, and education in its mandate.

According to Mr Mohammed, the corps has enjoyed robust government support, enabling it to achieve remarkable milestones in its over three decades of existence.

He assured that the FRSC would remain resolute in advancing Nigeria’s road safety agenda in line with global standards while strengthening collaborations with local and international partners to ensure safer roads.

(NAN)