Prime Minister launches Decade of Action

12 May 2011

The UK is at the forefront as Prime Minister David Cameron joins Formula One Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in Downing Street to lead calls for urgent action.

Prime Minister David Cameron said that road deaths now represent a major global concern and combating them must become a development priority:

“Every six seconds, someone is killed or seriously injured on the world's roads. Addressing this must be an urgent priority for the international community. In the United Kingdom, we have managed to make our roads amongst the safest in the world. Yet, despite this road accidents are still the leading cause of death for British teenagers and young adults – with the loss of six or seven people in road crashes every day.
“That's why I'm adding my voice to all those across the world who are coming together in support of the launch of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.”

A video of his message is here.

Joining him in London, Lewis Hamilton the 2008 F1 World Champion said: “Every single day, young people are needlessly killed on roads around the world. This doesn't need to be the case. I'm happy along with many other Formula One drivers to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety so we can raise awareness and hopefully save lives.”

Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 World Champion said: “It’s a tragedy that so many people are killed and injured just because simple safety measures are not in place. On the race circuit I rely on my helmet, seatbelt, the safety features of the car and the track working together to help reduce the risk of injury. It should be the same on the public roads in every country – safer cars, safer roads, education and better enforcement. No excuses. Starting from today, we must all take action.”