Óscar Puente speaks alongside other global leaders on road safety: 'Public investment is the most effective and direct way to save lives'

The Minister for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, took part in a round-table discussion on road safety in New York, which brought together leaders from various countries to discuss the possible causes and solutions to road traffic accidents, which claim 1.19 million lives and leave around 50 million people injured worldwide each year.

This discussion forum, organised by the United Nations Special Envoy, Jean Todt, as part of the UN High-Level Meeting on Road Safety, aims to accelerate the adoption of measures, strengthen collaboration between different sectors and mobilise new commitments to reduce deaths and injuries caused by road traffic accidents.

Puente began his address by emphasising the importance of infrastructure maintenance, a factor that plays a crucial role in road safety. For the Spanish minister, the road is an active safety feature, capable of guiding those who use it and mitigating the consequences of human error. Consequently, upkeep, preventive maintenance and modernisation are at the heart of transport policy priorities. "Public investment in these areas is not an expense. It is the most effective and direct way of saving lives", the minister emphasised.

Similarly, Puente highlighted the work the Ministry is carrying out to transform many roads passing through towns into routes that are accessible and safe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who account for 38% of fatal accidents. Specifically, the Ministry's efforts have been focused on improving pedestrian and cycle routes; the reorganisation of thoroughfares, access points and junctions; traffic calming; reducing conflict points between vehicles and vulnerable road users; improving pedestrian crossings; and reducing the barrier effect of certain roads in urban centres. These are measures that position active mobility as a cornerstone of mobility and transport policies. As the minister emphasised, roads in towns should be designed as safe spaces for walking, social interaction and accessing essential services.

Furthermore, Puente focused on continuous assessment - another key pillar of the Ministry's infrastructure maintenance policies. In this regard, Spain employs a comprehensive road safety management system that covers every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle - from planning and design to construction, maintenance, and operation - enabling the identification of risks, the prioritisation of actions, and the evaluation of outcomes. "Technology is no substitute for investment in infrastructure or road maintenance, but it is a vital tool for improving our ability to prevent risks and protect lives", Puente concluded.

Non official translation