THE UN General Assembly mandated the WHO and UN regional commissions to organize periodic UN Global Road Safety Weeks as platforms for global, regional, and especially national and local activities to raise awareness of road safety issues and promote appropriate responses.

The theme for the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, taking place during the period from 12 to 18 May 2025, is “Streets for Life: Make Walking and Cycling Safe”. Such a theme highlights the importance of creating safe and accessible streets, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, who are disproportionately affected by road traffic injuries.

When walking and cycling are safe, these modes of transport promote health, contribute to sustainable cities, and support more equitable societies. However, pedestrians and cyclists account for more than one quarter of all road traffic deaths. Proven, evi­dence-based measures must be implemented to ensure their safety. Walking and cycling are essential com­ponents of the multimodal transport systems promot­ed in the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. Supporting and promoting policies that encourage walking and cy­cling is a cost-effective strat­egy. The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week presents a valu­able opportunity to catalyze action at both national and local levels to make walking and cycling safer.

In Myanmar, the gov­ernment has established the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) to oversee road safe­ty initiatives across regions and states, including the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, with the aim of reducing traffic accidents, vehicle damage, and casualties. Meanwhile, law enforcement bodies such as the traffic police, in coop­eration with local authorities, work to prevent traffic con­gestion and accidents. Local authorities also raise public awareness about traffic regulations by delivering lectures on key traffic rules to students in basic education schools, distributing pamphlets, and installing billboards in major cities.

Indeed, the human body is one of the most valuable assets throughout a person’s life. No one wants to suffer injuries in a traffic accident, as the loss of life or physical harm cannot always be fully repaired. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to follow traffic laws and regulations carefully to avoid the dangers of po­tential accidents. By doing so, not only all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and so on, but also their families at residences will have a better chance of leading safe and secure lives in the traffic safety society and avoiding regrettable acci­dents in advance.