UN and India Collaborate to Reduce Road Fatalities: Helmets for Hope Initiative

New Delhi, 17th June 2024 – In a significant move to reduce global road traffic deaths, Mr. Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, has partnered with Mr. Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Helmets and President of the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association in India, to launch the ambitious initiative, “Helmets for Hope.”

Under Mr. Todt’s leadership from 2009 to 2021, the FIA promoted helmet use among motorcyclists and cyclists through several campaigns. One of the notable campaigns was the #3500LIVES campaign (2017-2021), which emphasized helmet use as essential for injury prevention and saving lives. More recently, the UN-JCDecaux #MakeASafetyStatement campaign (2023-2025) aims to promote road safety across 80 countries and 1,000 cities, featuring celebrities advocating for helmet use.

Partnerships with NGOs, corporations, and local organizations have been crucial in distributing helmets and conducting public awareness campaigns. Mr. Todt has also visited several Asian and African countries, including India, Kenya, and Mozambique, to promote road safety initiatives and garner political support.

Supporting research and development, Mr. Todt advocates for affordable, high-quality helmets that meet UNECE safety standards. Collaborations with international organizations such as WHO and the Global Road Safety Facility further enhance helmet safety initiatives. Public advocacy through media engagements and social platforms is also a significant part of these efforts.

Mr. Rajeev Kapur has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the UN to reduce road fatalities through increased helmet usage. Key points of the proposal include mandating two standardized helmets with every two-wheeler sold, reducing taxes on helmets to make them more affordable, and establishing independent testing labs to ensure helmet quality. Additionally, the proposal encourages corporations to allocate CSR funds for helmet provision and ensures delivery fleets procure standardized helmets for their riders.

The “Helmets for Hope” initiative aims to save millions of lives by promoting helmet usage and enhancing road safety regulations. With support from the UN, widespread adoption of these recommendations could significantly reduce road fatalities globally.

Mr. Jean Todt, born in 1946 in France, has had a distinguished career in motorsports and road safety advocacy. He has held numerous influential positions, including President of the FIA (2009-2021) and UN Special Envoy for Road Safety since 2015. Mr. Todt is also involved in various charitable causes and has been recognized for his contributions to road safety and humanitarian efforts.

The UN and India’s collaborative efforts through the “Helmets for Hope” initiative represent a crucial step towards reducing road fatalities worldwide. This comprehensive program, spearheaded by Mr. Jean Todt and Mr. Rajeev Kapur, aims to make helmet use a global standard, potentially saving billions of lives over the coming decades.