Background Road traffic crashes and resultant injuries and fatalities have become a major global problem as countries develop and rapidly acquire motorised vehicles. The United Nations launched the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020 to coordinate global efforts and promote solutions to this increasing health issue. The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety was established in response to the Decade of Action, and provides a forum for non-governmental organisations to share best practices and collectively advocate for road safety and the rights of victims of traffic crashes. The Alliance currently represents more than 140 NGOs from over 70 countries.

Problem Each year, more than 1.2 million people die on the world’s roads and tens of millions are seriously injured. Traffic crashes are currently the number one killer of young people aged 14–29, and the eighth leading cause of death among all people worldwide. Alongside the devastation that traffic crashes impose on victims’ families and loved ones, traffic crashes take a tremendous toll on the economy. Each year, developing countries lose between 1% and 3% of their GDP as a result of traffic crashes. Thankfully, these consequences are preventable and NGOs play a critical role in reducing the impact of traffic crashes in their communities and around the world.

Solution The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety serves as a platform for NGOs to share best practices and coordinate efforts to implement effective road safety programs and campaigns. The Alliance provides services and support to its members in three key areas: 1) networking and sharing, 2) advocacy, and 3) capacity building and training. The Alliance also provides information about the activities of NGOs to non-NGO actors, such as governments, multilateral organisations, media, and other stakeholders to promote road safety in the global development agenda. The Alliance consistently reaches more than 140 member NGOs and more than 600 other road safety advocates through official communication platforms, organised conferences, and other outreach efforts and services.

Conclusions The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety is an effective platform for NGOs working in road safety to share ideas, best practices, and coordinate international campaigns to promote road safety and the right’s of road victims in their countries and around the world.