Hey folks!
Big news on the road safety front – the World Health Organization (WHO) has just hit us with something revolutionary! They've kicked off the world's first-ever global technical advisory group dedicated solely to making our rides on two and three-wheelers safer. And honestly, it's about time!
As we all know, motorcycles and other nifty two-and three-wheeled vehicles make up a whopping quarter of the 1.19 million annual road traffic deaths worldwide. That's a staggering number! But fear not, the WHO is gearing up to tackle this head-on.
The goal? To shape laws, policies, regulations, and research that will cut down on those fatal crashes and support a shift towards more sustainable transport systems. They're not just talking the talk, but they've assembled a dream team of experts from countries where motorcycles are a big deal – think Vietnam, Kenya, Colombia, Uganda, and Malaysia.
Evelyn Murphy, the WHO public health lawyer leading the charge, highlighted the urgency, saying, "With the rapid rise in motorcycles and other two-and three-wheelers, and a spike in rider deaths globally, enhancing safety measures is crucial. We need policies and actions to support safer, healthier, and more sustainable transport systems."
And guess what? The inaugural meeting of this powerhouse advisory group is set for March 13. Mark your calendars!
But let's dive into the real heroes of the hour – the members of the Technical Advisory Group. Brace yourselves for some serious brainpower!
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Dr Abdul Bachani, Kenya: This Johns Hopkins big shot is all about international health and leads the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit.
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Dr Esther Bayiga-Zziwa, Uganda: A researcher extraordinaire with over 10 years of experience in injury prevention. She's all about making our roads safer.
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Mr Eduardo Pompeo Martins, Brazil: This urban designer has been transforming city streets for years. Talk about giving a facelift to road safety!
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Ms Nathaly M. Torregroza V, Colombia: Urban Mobility Advisor extraordinaire. She's on a mission to make our cities safer and healthier.
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Mohd Khairul Alhapiz Bin Ibrahim (Hapiz), Malaysia: Leading a research project on hazard detection for small-engine motorcycles. Safety first, always!
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Dr Eric Dumbaugh, United States: A global leader in designing safe urban streets. He's all about making sure our streets are as safe as can be.
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Dr Hilda María Gómez, Colombia: With extensive experience in powered-two and three-wheelers in Latin America, she's all about integrating them into urban planning and mobility.
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Mrs Aline Delhaye, Belgium: Working on motorcycling safety since 2004, she's got the lowdown on the Safe System Approach and is involved in projects to boost knowledge and capacities.
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Dr Tomaž Tollazi, Slovenia: A Civil Engineering Professor with over 30 years in road infrastructure design, safety, and engineering. This guy knows his roads!
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Dr Nguyen Dinh Vinh Man, Viet Nam: With a track record of working with local communities and government agencies, he's dedicated to implementing road safety initiatives.
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Ms Nichamon Thongphat, Thailand: A policy researcher with over ten years of experience in road safety and passenger transportation. She's all about reducing collisions and fatalities on Thailand's roads.
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Dr Violet Wawire, Kenya: With over fifteen years of expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she's a lecturer at Kenyatta University and an international research and evaluation consultant.
These experts are on a mission to make our roads safer, more inclusive, and downright better for everyone. So, gear up, folks! The road to safer rides is officially open, and WHO is leading the charge! Stay tuned for updates as this dream team hits the ground running on March 13. Ride safe!
