With the adoption of a brand-new infrastructure law, the South American country of Colombia wishes to improve the safety of its citizens on roads and cut in half the number of casualties by the end of the decade.
“This crucial new law could help save thousands of lives. It is a major step forwards for Colombia in setting up the robust legislative framework that we need to ensure safe mobility for everyone, and establishing a proven, life-saving safe systems approach to road safety,” says Gina Tambini, World Health Organization-Pan American Health Organization (WHO-PAHO) representative in Colombia.
Civil society, senators, house representatives, and grantees took part in shaping the new law destined to guide the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public road safety policy. Bill PL408/2021– named Juliàn Estaban’s Law after the 13-year-old victim of a crash while he was cycling – includes vehicle safety standards, driver licensing, data on injuries, and road and infrastructure design. For instance, a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h in urban areas and 30 km/h in residential areas with schools is in effect. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action on Road Safety aims at a 50% reduction in road casualties by 2030.
