“Traffic crashes shave off an estimated 3-5% of GDP in the worst-affected countries. The costs are not just human; they are economic and systemic,” says Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety”

The Private Sector Urged to Take the Wheel on Road Safety

With road fatalities on the rise globally, the United Nations is calling on the private sector to play a more active role in advancing road safety. From logistics to vehicle manufacturing, companies are being called upon to embed safety into their operations, invest in training, and support innovation – not just to protect lives, but also to safeguard economic stability.

As urban populations swell and motorisation intensifies, the world’s roads are under strain. Congestion, outdated infrastructure and distracted driving – exacerbated by ubiquitous smartphone use – are contributing to an alarming rise in traffic accidents. Globally, road crashes now kill 1.2 million people and injure up to 50 million more each year, exacting a heavy toll on societies and economies alike.

In response to these challenges, the United Nations has committed to halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. But the path to that goal is not paved by policy alone. It requires the active participation of the private sector – from logistics operators to vehicle manufacturers – whose choices and practices directly shape the safety of road users.

“Traffic crashes shave off an estimated 3-5% of GDP in the worst-affected countries. The costs are not just human; they are economic and systemic,” says Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.

From Logistics to Liability

For companies with significant transport operations, ensuring road safety has become a business imperative. Inadequate driver training, vehicle maintenance gaps, and inconsistent safety regulations pose operational and reputational risks. Truck-related crashes, in particular, are rising, often due to undertrained drivers and a lack of regulatory oversight.

In the United States, there is still no federal mandate on minimum behind-the-wheel hours for drivers of large or complex vehicles, such as double-trailer trucks. Meanwhile, critical competencies – such as navigating extreme weather or mountainous terrain – are often overlooked in training protocols.

Elsewhere, even basic safety measures such as regulated rest periods are inconsistently enforced, and safety certification standards vary widely across jurisdictions. These discrepancies are especially perilous in developing regions, where older, less safe vehicles are frequently imported and put into circulation.

The Case for Continuous Training

Companies are being urged to treat driver training not as a one-off compliance measure, but as a continual investment. Biannual training cycles and empowered on-the-ground managers who act as “road safety coaches” are increasingly seen as best practice.

Pharmaceutical group Sanofi, for instance, reduced crash-related injuries across its 17,000-vehicle fleet from 98 in 2016 to 40 in 2022 through a proactive training and safety compliance programme. The case illustrates how going beyond regulation can yield substantial safety dividends.

Modern Fleets, Safer Roads

With the global vehicle count expected to double by 2050, fleet modernisation is another area of focus. The export of aging, low-safety vehicles to the Global South is drawing criticism, with calls for companies to ensure that decommissioned vehicles do not exacerbate risks in more vulnerable markets.

Routine inspections and the retrofitting of basic safety technologies – such as seatbelt upgrades, off-road tyres, and automated crash alerts – can significantly mitigate injury risks, particularly in areas with limited emergency response infrastructure.

Public-Private Synergies

The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) calls on corporations to apply Safe System principles across their value chains, from procurement and production to logistics and sustainability reporting. The framework encourages businesses to:

• Define vehicle safety standards in contracts with suppliers
• Mandate user training for all drivers, including those using powered two-wheelers
• Require safety performance monitoring and reporting
• Incorporate fatigue and route risk management in transport planning

Vehicle manufacturers are also expected to embed safety features into all markets, not only high-income ones, while insurers can incentivise safe driving through premium structures and post-crash financial protections.

Additionally, companies must reconsider their marketing and employment practices – avoiding campaigns that glorify speed or alcohol use, and adjusting working hours to prevent driver fatigue or overcrowded public transport.

Mobilising Global Campaigns

Raising awareness remains a crucial piece of the puzzle. In collaboration with outdoor advertising firm JCDecaux, Jean Todt has launched the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign – a global public awareness initiative that is rolling out across 80 countries in 30 languages, including Mauritius. The campaign uses billboard space in over 1,000 cities to spotlight road safety, particularly among young people, for whom traffic accidents are the leading cause of death.

Jean Todt is also championing new technologies, including satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence, to predict and prevent crashes. “These are tools that only the private sector can bring at scale. Innovation must be part of the safety equation,” he says.

A Shared Responsibility

As roads continue to link people, goods and economies, making them safer must become a shared priority. Whether through training, investment, or advocacy, private sector engagement is essential.

“Safety cannot be the sole responsibility of governments or NGOs,” says Jean Todt. “It must be woven into business models and boardroom strategies. Only then can we begin to reverse the trend.”

The stakes are clear. With lives on the line and billions in losses each year, road safety is not just good ethics – it’s sound economics.