23/03/2010
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has joined the Global Helmet Vaccine Initiative, as part of its new road safety action plan.
The IDB’s president, Luis Alberto Moreno, made the announcement at the Bank’s annual meeting, held in Cancun. IDB will work jointly with GHVI, which is led by the AIP Foundation, the pioneer of successful helmet campaigns in SE Asia, on a pilot project to encourage policy changes and investment decisions that can lead to increased and sustainable motorcycle helmet use in several countries in Latin America.
Road fatalities in Latin America and the Caribbean are almost double the world average, at 17 deaths per 100,000 population. If current trends continue, fatalities could rise to 31 per 100,000 by 2020. Road crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds in the region, and the second leading cause of death for those aged 5 to 14. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders account for more than half of road fatalities. Latin American countries may lose between 1 percent and 2 percent of their annual gross domestic product because of the injuries and deaths caused by road crashes.
Under its action plan, the IDB aims to assist countries to develop and upgrade plans to improve road safety conditions and reduce mortality rates and work with governments and other public and private partners to mobilize resources for road safety initiatives. The plan also calls for the inclusion of road safety features in Bank-financed infrastructure and transportation projects as well other projects that are not financed by the IDB. The helmet vaccine initiative joins safe road assessment and independent vehicle crash tests in the portfolio of IDB initiatives for the forthcoming Decade of Action.
Mr Moreno was joined on stage by the Chairman of the FIA Foundation, Carlos Macaya, the Director General of the FIA Foundation, David Ward, and young people wearing motorcycle crash helmets. The FIA Foundation is also supporting the GHVI.
Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB, said:
“This is a preventable human tragedy that takes a huge economic toll on Latin America. What we need today are coordinated policies and programs that involve all the key stakeholders: governments, investors, regulators, educators and citizens who want safer streets.”
Carlos Macaya, Chairman of the FIA Foundation, said:
“This initiative will aim to raise awareness of the vital role motorcycle helmets play in preventing serious head injuries and brain damage. It will also seek to increase the supply of safe and affordable crash helmets. This afternoon I am delighted to be joining President Moreno to distribute helmets to children, to remind that all motorcycle riders must wear a helmet, every time they ride.”
