Road safety: Jean Todt, a pilot for Africa
113 shares
Audio 02:33
The driver Jean Todt, former Formula 1 world champion, winner of 5 Paris-Dakar.
© Pauline Richard / wikimedia.org
By: Marina Mielczarek
8 min
What do footballer Didier Drogba have in common with an African road?
Answer, road safety in developing countries!
A subject about which little is said.
However, road accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 5 to 29.
The pilot Jean Todt, former world champion of Formula 1, winner of 5 Paris Dakar, publishes a book supported by stars from all over the world.
His combat book, “Millions of lives to be saved on the roads of the world”, is published by Débats Publics.
This UN ambassador for road safety received Marina Mielczarek in Paris.
Publicity
Africa occupies a great place in the heart and in the work of Jean Todt.
The first lines refer to it, as do Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Between the ages of 5 and 29, young people die there from road accidents than from any other scourge.
Didier Drogba, Raphaël Nadal or Pharrel William
Nothing is more effective than idols in reaching young people.
Footballers Didier Drogba, Antoine Griezmann signed prevention messages for schools in 90 countries around the world.
Under their portraits, simple messages: turn on your headlights, slow down in front of schools ... Among the other sportsmen, the pilot Fernando Alonzo, the tennis player Raphaël Nadal or the long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie.
On the
people
side
,
Pharrel William took the pose, in profile in an American cap with this caption: “
Do not text and drive
” (No texting while driving!)
The UN engaged
Jean Todt's book,
Millions of Lives to Save on the Roads of the World
, opens with a photograph, the handshake of the author, former Formula 1 champion and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres .
A collaboration that lasts since Jean Todt has been the Global Special Envoy for Road Safety since 2015.
Exclusive interview around the book
:
Millions of lives to save… on the roads of the world, published by
Éditions Débats Publics
.
RFI: Jean Todt, you say that the solutions exist. What are they ?
Jean Todt
: Yes, indeed, education does everything.
Learn to fasten the seat belt, wear a helmet on a motorcycle or moped.
Do not drink while driving.
Do not phone.
And then there is also the quality of the roads, the quality of the cars and the organization of emergency services after an accident.
It's always easier said than done! You encourage countries to improve the quality of roads and transport coaches ...
This is why it takes a political will behind to enforce the laws.
Remember, in countries like France, road safety did not come quickly, with the wave of a magic wand.
The ministers had to fight, but in the end, road accidents were divided by 5. Why should the developing countries of Africa not succeed?
During your African tour, which governments did you meet?
Kenyan and Egyptian officials told me of their willingness to get involved.
But I repeat, it is my role as UN ambassador, nothing will happen without the political will to enforce road safety laws.
One of the first things to do is to record the number of accidents.
From records, we set goals and precise dates.
The challenge, you say in your book, is also to reduce rubbish vehicles of poor quality which are a real danger on the roads ...
Perfectly.
When our old European cars are good for scrap, they arrive in Africa and this poor quality causes breakdowns or functions that no longer work, such as headlights or loose doors.
All of this contributes to causing deaths and injuries.
Apart from the drivers, you also insist on pedestrian education ...
By 2030, if we can enforce its simple rules, we will reduce accidents by 50% worldwide and of course in Africa.
Talking in schools is not enough.
Today we need you, the media, to get the message across.
Every day thousands of young people are hit on the roads in town or in remote areas.
This too, we must say and be aware of.
The other important point, finally, is the financial aspect: accidents are expensive for countries ...
Yes, they don't always realize it.
Road accidents cost them money.
Young adults die or remain injured for life.
It is the country's vital force which is diminishing.
It is the economy, with very significant health costs, which is affected.
►
Consult the website of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Transport
France
Africa