UB endorses seatbelts and helmets for traffic safety
The launch of the Global Road Safety initiative was held at Sukhbaatar Square on June 6 to encourage people to wear seatbelts and helmets.
Carried out within the scope of the Partnership for Healthy Cities global network, the new project is an important initiative for reducing and preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), road casualties and accidents in Ulaanbaatar. Many city officials attended the opening ceremony along with Mayor of Ulaanbaatar S.Batbold, Head of the Ulaanbaatar Health Office L.Tumurbaatar, and Head of the Traffic Police Department D.Amarsaikhan.
“Ulaanbaatar is part of the Partnership for Healthy Cities initiated by Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, World Health Organization global ambassador for noncommunicable diseases, UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for climate action, and mayor of New York City. Out of 10 types of strategies for preventing NCDs, we have decided to carry out the Global Road Safety initiative, which aims to reduce fatalities and injuries from road traffic collisions. We strongly encourage city residents to wear seatbelts when traveling in vehicles and helmets on motorbikes!” S.Batbold remarked at the launch.
“Your active participation will not only contribute to succeeding in meeting project targets but also protect the lives of you and your loved ones. Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts because it will protect your life,” he added. In the last decade, traffic accidents increased by 6.6 folds with over 90 percent occurring in Ulaanbaatar alone, according to the Traffic Police Department. Based on the current rate, the occurrence of traffic accidents is expected to triple by 2020. A recent study indicated that 93.8 percent of drivers and 76 percent of passengers fasten their seatbelts while 82 to 87 percent of passengers in the backseat don’t wear seatbelts at all. Out of all victims of traffic accidents in 2017, 76 percent were wearing seatbelts during the time of the accident, 24 percent weren’t wearing seatbelts and the police couldn’t determine whether four percent of victims were wearing their seatbelts.
According to statistics, 47 out of 55 children who were involved in a traffic accident last year died while traveling to the countryside because they were not wearing their seatbelts.
Head of the Traffic Police Department D.Amarsaikhan stated, “More and more vehicles registered in Ulaanbaatar are causing traffic accidents. I’m happy that the Global Road Safety initiative is being carried out to encourage people to make a habit of wearing their seatbelts and helmets. These habits are highly significant for protecting your life and preventing potential health risks from an accident.”
He reported that a recent study found that up to 85 percent of children traveling in vehicles are not seated in child safety seats or fasten their seatbelt. He advised parents to ensure their child’s safety by reminding them to fasten their seatbelt and seating infants and toddlers in child safety seats.
City officials shared plans to introduce other solutions and initiatives proven effective for improving living conditions in cities, reducing traffic casualties and ensuring public security.
Head of the Ulaanbaatar Health Office L.Tumurbaatar underlined the need for drivers to fasten their seatbelts and motorcyclists and cyclists to wear helmets to prevent fatal injuries in the case of an accident.
The Amateur Motorcycle Association, National Center for Road Safety, and district health organizations have joined the project to promote the use of helmets and seatbelts. Through the projects, useful information related to traffic safety, helmets and seatbelts will be distributed through media outlets.