Honda backs UN safety fund

Honda has become the first vehicle manufacturer to join the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) and its governing body.

It marks a milestone in the organisation’s mission to reduce road-traffic deaths and injuries, and encourage safer roads.

Honda’s multi-year pledge, which represents the largest contribution to the UNRSF’s efforts to date, will provide critical support to its work.

This focuses on halving road deaths and injuries, particularly in low and middle-income countries where more than 92 per cent of fatal crashes occur each year. 

Since 2018, the UNRSF, which operates in 88 countries, has mobilised resources from private, public and individual donors to fund high-impact, scalable and sustainable projects worldwide. 

These initiatives support better urban planning for school zones, low-emissions non-motorised transport, speed management, and developing cleaner, safer used-vehicle standards. 

Hideaki Takaishi, Honda’s executive chief engineer of safety planning, says: “By supporting the UNRSF, we are reinforcing our dedication to creating safer roadway experiences with major stakeholders and advancing the global goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030.”

Nneka Henry, head of the UNRSF, adds: “We welcome Honda as the first vehicle manufacturer to join the fund and its governing body. 

“Its largest-ever contribution will help us direct vital resources to projects that save lives in developing countries. Honda’s leadership sets an important example for the private sector’s role in tackling the global road-safety crisis.”