The document is a follow up to OICA’s previous plan for global road safety requirements presented to the United Nations in 2019.

The UN has identified 2021-2030 as the ‘Second Decade of Action for Road Safety,’ noting 1.35 million fatalities and 50 million injuries annually – 90 percent in developing counties. In addition to being tragic, this data represents a major public health and economic development challenge, “with broad social and economic consequences,” according to OICA’s framework.

OICA President John Bozzella noted: “No matter where you live, every car driver, biker, motorcyclist and pedestrian should be able to travel safely. We all have a role to play to ensure the world’s roads are as safe as possible. Auto manufacturers working together with governments, the United Nations and civil society are committed to helping save lives and reduce injuries everywhere – and our new framework outlines a path forward to achieve these goals in the years ahead.”

The global auto industry believes the most efficient way to ensure only safe vehicles enter the market is through legislation with well-defined minimum safety levels. This is a crucial element especially in countries where current legislation is inadequate or non-existent and is an approach supported by the UN’s Inland Transport Committee. This safety approach was successful in developed markets and should be replicated in developing countries as well.

The OICA framework calls for the application of updates to specific safety rules for light vehicles (including antilock braking systems, electronic stability control, collision and tires standards, and installation of lighting among others) with detailed recommendations and accelerated timeframes for legislative implementation.

Vehicle manufacturers around the globe are committed to reviewing with various authorities how to put in place this legislative framework to ensure only safe vehicles are put on the road.

Read OICA’s 2022 Global Road Safety Manifesto HERE.