Bloomberg Philanthropies announces second phase of $125 million Global Road Safety Initiative

Renewed commitment increases focus on cities and urban areas

February 12, 2015

São Paulo, Brazil (pictured) is one of ten cities selected as part of the second phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Global Road Safety Initiative. Photo by Mariana Gil/EMBARQ Brasil.

Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the five countries and ten cities that will be the focus of its Global Road Safety Initiative, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries worldwide. The program will invest $125 million over five years to implement national road safety legislation and city-level road safety interventions that save lives.

Traffic fatalities claim over 1.2 million lives every year, and are currently on track to become the fifth leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

Following is a statement from Ani Dasgupta, Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities:

“Bloomberg Philanthropies is showing leadership by renewing its commitment to global road safety. We are particularly excited to see the initiative’s additional emphasis on emerging and developing cities. Cities in emerging economies are faced with the greatest traffic safety challenges and are where we can save the most lives, especially those of vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and people living in low-income communities. We look forward to continuing our work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to save lives and make cities safer by design.”

Following is a statement from Holger Dalkmann, Director, Strategy and Global Policy, EMBARQ Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities:

"Rising car ownership in emerging and developing cities make traffic safety a key challenge. The ten cities selected for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety Initiative are on the front lines of this challenge, and need sustainable solutions to protect their citizens and preserve quality of life. Our EMBARQ sustainable mobility practice will continue to work with Bloomberg Philanthropies to offer these solutions through sustainable transport and urban design."

Following is a statement from Claudia Adriazola-Steil, Director, Health & Road Safety, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities:

“With 1.2 million fatalities every year, traffic safety is a key global challenge facing cities today. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ renewed commitment to road safety will help accelerate solutions for safe, healthy, thriving cities. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and overwhelmingly affect the urban poor. Sustainable mobility and urban design are proven solutions for saving lives, making people healthier and cities more livable. This important initiative by Bloomberg Philanthropies will bring greater focus to urban areas and we look forward to continuing to work together on the Global Road Safety Initiative.”