Published: 23 February 2026The Week / UN IndiaSocial
Sachin Tendulkar Designated UN Global Champion for Road Safety; 'Make A Safety Statement' Campaign Launched in India
On February 24, 2026, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was designated a Global Champion for Road Safety by the United Nations. The announcement was made at the United Nations India office in New Delhi, where UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt launched the Indian leg of the global 'Make A Safety Statement' road safety awareness campaign.
The campaign promotes five key road safety behaviours: wearing seat belts and helmets, driving within speed limits, avoiding mobile phone use while driving, not driving under the influence of alcohol or fatigue, and respecting pedestrians and cyclists. Tendulkar released a video endorsing the campaign, urging Indians to adopt safe road habits. The UN initiative, first announced in 2022, is set to reach 80 countries and 1,000 cities by end-2026. Tendulkar joins 16 global celebrities and national Olympic champions already championing road safety.
Road safety is a critical concern in India, which accounts for approximately 12% of global road accident deaths. Rajasthan is among the top five states in road accident fatalities, driven by high-speed National Highways (NH-48, NH-58), overloaded trucks, and low seatbelt compliance in rural areas. The UN Road Safety Fund's financing project is being simultaneously rolled out in Rajasthan along with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam to build state-level road safety infrastructure.
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Q: Discuss the significance of Sachin Tendulkar's designation as UN Global Champion for Road Safety and the 'Make A Safety Statement' campaign launch for India's road safety landscape.
Answer (50 words):
On 24 February 2026, the UN designated Sachin Tendulkar Global Champion for Road Safety; Special Envoy Jean Todt launched the 'Make A Safety Statement' campaign targeting 80 countries and 1,000 cities by 2026. India accounts for 12% of global road accident deaths; UN Road Safety Fund rolls out in Rajasthan and others.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety (2021–2030) and what are its targets?
The UN Decade of Action on Road Safety (2021–2030) is a global framework adopted by the UN General Assembly targeting a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. It follows the first Decade (2011–2020) and focuses on five pillars: road safety management, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response. The 'Make A Safety Statement' campaign is part of this framework.
Why was Sachin Tendulkar appointed as UN Global Champion for Road Safety?
Sachin Tendulkar was appointed because of his unparalleled reach and credibility in India and the Global South. The UN uses celebrity champions to amplify public health messages. Tendulkar's mass following — especially among youth — makes him effective in promoting behavioural change around helmet use, seatbelt compliance, and avoiding drunk driving. He was appointed on February 24, 2026, by UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt.
What is the road safety situation in India, and why is Rajasthan specifically mentioned?
India records approximately 1.5 lakh (150,000) road fatalities annually — among the highest globally. Rajasthan is consistently among the top states for road accidents due to its long highway network (NH 48, NH 58, NH 62), high vehicle density, poor road lighting in rural areas, and low seatbelt and helmet compliance. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced stiffer penalties to address these issues.
What is the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 and how does it relate to road safety?
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 was a landmark reform that significantly increased penalties for traffic violations — for example, drunk driving fines rose from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000, and helmet non-compliance fines increased substantially. It also introduced provisions for compensation to accident victims, good Samaritan protection, enhanced driver licensing standards, and stricter norms for vehicle fitness. It was designed to reduce India's high road fatality rate.
Who is Jean Todt and what is his role as UN Special Envoy for Road Safety?
Jean Todt is a French motor racing executive, former FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) President, and former Ferrari team principal. He was appointed UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety in 2015. In this role he works with governments, NGOs, automobile industry, and global figures to promote road safety policies and campaigns, including launching the 'Make A Safety Statement' campaign in India.
