Road deaths are a global epidemic. At least 3,000 people – 500 of them children – are killed in traffic incidents throughout the world every day, totaling 1.2 million deaths each year.

US citizens increasingly travel to less developed nations to learn about different cultures, enjoy less-developed landscapes, and experience new adventures. According to the U.S. Department of State, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for these international travelers.

To help improve road safety for those living and traveling abroad, world leaders must acknowledge the problem and identify solutions. The United Nations General Assembly is expected to meet in November to begin discussions aimed at improving global road safety.

In preparation for this meeting, the FIA (Foundation for the Automobile and Society),
an international motoring club safety foundation of which AAA is a member, is calling on individuals worldwide to sign a petition that will be sent to the Secretary General of the U.N.

The FIA Foundation aims to secure at least 1.2 million signatures – the number of people killed on worldwide roads each year.

AAA members have an opportunity to support the petition and join members of AAA’s sister clubs throughout the world in asking world leaders to address this devastating loss of life by making road safety a top priority of international aid and assistance.

Stopping roadway deaths and injuries should have no political or geographic borders and are a devastating social and economic hardship worldwide. To learn more and sign the petition, please visit AAA.com/publicaffairs. –Tom Crosby