MIAMI, FL –The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and MTV Latinoamérica today announced that they have joined with the young Colombian singer Marre to promote the IDB’s road safety message “Do your Part—Safe Roads for All.” The public service announcement, which features the young singer, will premiere Wednesday, December 15, on MTV and on www.MTVAgentesDeCambio.com.
More than 1.2 million persons die each year in highway accidents worldwide and some 50 million persons sustain non-fatal traffic injuries. Highway accidents are the principal cause of death of young people between the age of 10 and 24 in Latin America and the Caribbean. The most recent highway safety surveys in the region indicate a traffic mortality rate of 17 per 100,000 persons. According to projections for the year 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean will be the region with the highest rate of mortalities as the result of traffic accidents.
“The majority of victims of traffic accidents are young people; it is time for action, and all sectors must play a part,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “This human tragedy has a devastating impact on development. Many families cannot emerge from poverty because road accidents have claimed the lives of the persons responsible for providing the family income. Similarly, the family must pay for the care of a family member who has been left an invalid as the result of an accident. The region’s countries devote up to 4 percent of their gross domestic income on expenses related to traffic accidents.”
“Traffic accidents are one of the greatest dangers facing young people in our region,” said Mario Cáder-Frech, vice-president for public affairs and corporate social responsibility for MTV Networks Latinoamérica and Tr3s. “It is vitally important for us to create awareness among members of our audience and motivate them to act in a responsible manner as drivers and as pedestrians.”
The IDB’s objective in the campaign “Do your Part—Safe Roads for All”—regarded as a pioneering initiative for the region—is to lead a process of change that helps to promote responsible behavior in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. These actions include the following:
- Include traffic safety components in transportation and road infrastructure projects.
- Closely collaborate with governments in the design and implementation of plans and/or national strategies for highway safety.
- Ensure sufficient and stable financing for measures to promote traffic safety.
- Increase public awareness of the main risk factors in traffic accidents and support traffic safety education in schools.
- Improve medical care for accident victims and provide support for handicapped people.
- Create close alliances among governments, the private sector, and civil society.
More about this initiative can be found on the IDB Road Safety webpage, including a brochure on traffic safety.
DO YOUR PART!
Appearing on MTV Wednesday, December 15
See it now at wwwmtvagentesdecambio.com
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MTV Networks Latinoamérica, Inc., a unit of Viacom International (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the owner and operator of the networks MTV Latinoamérica Nickelodeon Latinoamérica, Vh1 Latinoamérica, Viacom Networks Brasil (which operate Nickelodeon y Vh1 Brasil) and MTV Networks digital channels, a package of three digital services?MTV Jams, MTV Hits y Vh1 Soul. The Spanish and Portuguese versions of MTV, Vh1 y Nickelodeon are seen in more than 20 countries throughout Latin America. MTV Networks Latinoamérica is also connected with audiences through interactive means through its web pages: MTVla.com, Mundonick.com and Vh1la.com, and for its broad band users and the community of musicians and music lovers: TVRevolution.com, MundoNick.com/NickTurbo y LaZona.com.
IDB YOUTH is the program of the Inter-American Development Bank that promotes the active participation of the youth of Latin America and the Caribbean in the development process as genuine agents of change. IDB YOUTH facilitates direct communication between youth and governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in dialogues in which young people can express their opinions, take positions, and actively contribute to the development process.