Making roads safer

In the South-East Asia Region, road traffic injuries are responsible for over 316,000 deaths annually.

As we mark the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week from 15-21 May 2023, I want to draw your attention to Prakash Karki, a 26-year-old resident of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Prakash’s life was forever changed in 2020, due to a motorcycle crash that could have been prevented if he had been wearing a helmet and had not been riding under the influence of alcohol. The crash left Prakash with a physical disability, and his family had to bear the enormous financial burden of his medical treatment. His story highlights the need for urgent action to improve road safety and prevent such incidents from happening in the first place. The story of Prakash Karki is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of road traffic crashes and the heavy toll they take on families, communities, and entire nations.