Govts and agencies must design transport system for people and not for cars, World Health Organisation (WHO) director general Tedros Ghebreyesus said, while urging global communities to support the cause of road safety, reports Dipak Dash.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 4th ministerial conference on road safety on Tuesday, he said, "In this complex and often divisive world, road safety is surely an issue that we can all rally around. It can help make people healthy, cities sustainable and societies equitable."

While highlighting how 10 countries have reduced road fatalities by half in the past decade and another 35 nations by 30%, the WHO chief said road traffic deaths in Africa increased by 17%.

"This is because in Africa and elsewhere, many countries are expanding transport systems designed for cars, not people. A safe system approach to mobility puts people and safety first, with a focus on mass transit and other forms of efficient and sustainable transport. It prioritises the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable users," he said.

Addressing the conference, which has participants from more than 100 countries, UN special envoy for road safety Jean Todt said, "Every year an entire city like Marrakesh is wiped out by road crashes. It's scary."

Reading out India's commitment to reduce crash fatalities and injuries, MoS road transport Ajay Tamta said India has given road safety governance priority by embedding it into road infrastructure planning.