UN OFFICIALS CALL FOR HARNESSING POWER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE ROAD FATALITIES

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 16 May 2013 17:00:01 -0400
Subject: UN OFFICIALS CALL FOR HARNESSING POWER OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE ROAD FATALITIES
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN OFFICIALS CALL FOR HARNESSING POWER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO
REDUCE ROAD FATALITIESNew York, May 16 2013 5:00PMUnited Nations
officials today called for harnessing the power of information and
communication technologies (ICTs) to improve road safety and thereby
save over a millions lives each year.

"Let us make the best of technology to dramatically reduce traffic
fatalities. This can save millions of lives," Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon said in his message for this year's World Telecommunication
and Information Society Day.

Celebrated each year on 17 May, the Day marks the anniversary of the
signature of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865
which led to the creation of the UN International Telecommunication
Union (ITU). The theme for this year is "ICTs and improving road
safety."

Mr. Ban noted that road accidents kill nearly 1.3 million people every
year. They also leave millions more injured or permanently disabled,
placing a heavy economic burden on families and countries.

"Information and communication technologies provide many options,"
said the Secretary-General. "Intelligent Transport Systems and
navigation devices can help reduce congestion. Radars can help to
prevent collisions with other road users, including pedestrians.

"Hands-free communications mean less accidents, especially among young
people who account for more than half of road deaths," he added.

Mr. Ban commended the ITU for its work with industry to develop ICT
standards and for collaborating with the International Automobile
Federation to create awareness on road safety.

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said in his message for the
Day that ICTs play a catalytic role in creating opportunities for
people in every walk of life.

"Today, even as we take to the streets in our vehicles, we have the
tools at our fingertips to communicate across the world, navigate
through dense traffic and find our way in unfamiliar terrain," he
stated.

"While these technologies are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, we
must ensure that we use them responsibly and with caution, especially
while driving, in order to avoid accidents and injury."

Mr. Touré said that "driver distraction and road-user behaviour," such
as text messaging and interfacing with in-vehicle navigation or
communication systems while driving, are among the leading
contributors to road traffic fatalities and injuries.

"My message is clear: Don't be distracted by technology when driving,
whether calling from your mobile phone, or setting the navigation
system. Sending a text message or tweeting while driving is extremely
dangerous and should be avoided at all cost.

"At the same time, I call upon our Member States and industry partners
to promote the use of safe interfaces and hands-free devices in
vehicles and take action to eliminate technology-related distractions
while driving. Along with promoting national policies to encourage the
use of ICT in enhancing road safety, we must also promote the
development and use of intelligent transport systems.

"These measures will not only help prevent traffic accidents," he
stated, "but also improve efficiencies in traffic management as a
means of combating the effects of climate change."

He added that ITU has been developing standards for safe user
interfaces and communication systems in vehicles designed to optimize
driving performance by eliminating unsafe technology-related
distractions.

The Geneva-based agency has also been leading worldwide efforts in
developing state-of-the-art ICT standards for Intelligent Transport
Systems and driver safety that utilize a combination of computers,
communications, positioning and automation technologies, including
in-car radars for collision avoidance.May 16 2013 5:00PM
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