Belmopan - 19 April, 2007 -The Ministry of Health, Local Government, Transport and Communications, in collaboration with the newly established National Road Traffic Safety Committee, with technical support from the Pan American Health Organization, is organizing the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week under the theme " Road Safety is No Accident".

The main objectives of this First United Nations Global Road Safety Week 2007 are to:

• Raise awareness about the societal impact of road traffic injuries, highlighting the risks for young road users.
• Promote action around key factors which have a major impact on preventing road traffic injuries: helmets, seat-belts, drink driving, speeding and infrastructure.

The First United Nations Global Road Safety Week focuses on "young road users", since young people constitute a major group at risk for injury, disability and death as a result of road traffic injuries. While the focus is on young road users, it is hoped that the actions resulting from the Week will benefit road users of all ages. Numerous global activities are planned to commemorate the First UN Nations Global Road Safety Week. One such activity includes a World Youth Assembly for Road Safety organized by the World Health Organization from 23-24 in Geneva Switzerland . Youths from all over the world including Mr. Davin Humes, from the Youth Advocate Movement, a youth arm of the Belize Family Life Association will be joining hundreds of young people from around the world.

In Belize numerous activities are planned and include Church Service at the St. Martin 's De Porres, and a national Road Safety Forum on April 23, at the Princess Hotel. During this forum, the National Five Year Strategy to address road safety will be launched, as well as the presentation of the Governor General of Belize as the Patron.

The theme "Road Safety is No Accident", highlights the fact that road safety happens not by accident, but through the deliberate efforts on the part of many individuals and many sectors of society - governmental and nongovernmental alike.

Activities for the remainder of the week include HEAD LAMP DAY where all drivers are being asked to drive with their head lamps on each day of the week in a show of solidarity for traffic safety. Flyers will be distributed to motorists countrywide, highlighting important safety information. Schools will be visited in order to disseminate information to children.