Every year, approximately 1.19 million people lose their lives in road accidents, making road safety one of the leading global health emergencies. Road accidents are the number one cause of death for young people between the ages of 5 and 29. More than half of all fatalities are vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Although the problem disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, no nation is immune. Road safety isn't just a matter of individual security, but also a crucial factor for economic and social development. It's estimated that the costs associated with road accidents significantly impact GDP, especially in developing countries. "It's still talked about far too little, but road safety has an enormous impact on society," observes Filippo Bettini, Senior Advisor Sustainability at Pirelli, quoting Jean Todt, who called the phenomenon “the silent pandemic”.
A global emergency that demands concrete and coordinated action
A global commitment to road safety has also been undertaken by the UN, which has included this issue among its Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, target 3.6 of the SDGs aims to halve road fatalities by 2030. To pursue this goal, the United Nations Road Safety Fund (RSF) was established in 2018 to finance concrete projects worldwide. The fund operates in over 30 countries, supporting interventions in training, regulations, infrastructure, and awareness-raising campaigns. In places like the Philippines, it has supported educational projects and targeted improvements, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-structured local solutions. A crucial element of the Fund's activity is the constant monitoring of progress. "Every project is carefully monitored to ensure that funds are used correctly and that the results are tangible," Bettini emphasises. "The periodically published reports allow us to verify the progress of each individual project; if necessary, we can intervene to optimise results." This system ensures that every intervention continues to generate impact, with the possibility of adapting strategies based on the results achieved on the ground.
Pirelli's contribution: safety as a core value
Pirelli has been a supporter of the Road Safety Fund since its inception, contributing to the fund through both direct financial support and the active involvement of key figures, such as Filippo Bettini, a member of the Steering Committee. The company's commitment extends beyond institutional involvement: safety is an integral part of Pirelli's corporate philosophy, as encapsulated in its iconic claim – Power is nothing without control – which accompanies the Pirelli logo. The tyres developed by Pirelli are engineered to deliver peak performance in terms of safety, grip, and braking, tangibly contributing to the reduction of accident risk In addition, Pirelli promotes awareness-raising campaigns dedicated to its employees and the local communities where it operates, with training and outreach initiatives on road safety topics.
During the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Marrakesh in February 2025, Pirelli announced a new round of funding for the Road Safety Fund, reaffirming its commitment to supporting global initiatives for safe mobility. Among the topics that emerged during the conference was "Affordable Helmets," a study-phase initiative aimed at offering certified quality helmets at accessible prices, promoting their adoption in contexts where motorcycles are widely used. The idea, which arose as a point of discussion between institutions and businesses, represents one of the many possible future directions for improving road safety in low-income countries.
The challenges of road safety world-wide
In many areas of the world, road safety isn't just about improving roads or vehicles. It's also a matter of education. Knowledge of safety regulations is often lacking, and driver behaviour is influenced by a lack of awareness of the risks. "In developing countries, the challenge isn't just about infrastructure, but also about culture," Porro continues. "Often, the population isn't aware of the dangers associated with reckless driving, or simply doesn't have access to adequate training courses. It's crucial to work on both fronts, educating the population and improving infrastructural conditions." The RSF's projects focus precisely on these aspects, systematically addressing existing gaps and creating solutions ranging from road improvements to the distribution of educational materials.
Vision Zero: an ambitious yet achievable goal
At the heart of these initiatives is Vision Zero a strategy born in Sweden in 1997 with the goal of completely eliminating deaths and serious injuries caused by road accidents. The principles on which this strategy is based are primarily two: the first is that no number of victims other than zero is acceptable, while the second is that human beings make mistakes, even while driving, and therefore infrastructure and vehicles must be designed taking this into account. The results achieved in countries like Sweden, Norway, and the city of Oslo demonstrate that a drastic reduction in road fatalities is possible. Oslo, for example, recorded zero pedestrian and cyclist deaths in 2019, thanks to integrated policies that include reducing car traffic in urban centres, expanding cycle paths, and creating pedestrian zones. “Scandinavian countries, for instance, have demonstrated that it's possible to reduce road fatalities significantly," Bettini emphasises. "The Vision Zero model isn't just a hope, but concrete proof that the adoption of targeted policies can truly make a difference. And we want to be part of this change."
A look to the future
The target set for 2030 is ambitious but achievable: to halve the number of road fatalities globally. This goal requires a continuous and collaborative commitment from all stakeholders involved: public institutions, private companies, and international organizations. "Our commitment is long-term," concludes Stefano Porro. "Pirelli will continue to support concrete initiatives that can generate a tangible impact on road safety. This isn't just a corporate commitment, but a genuine responsibility towards the community."
