The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that accidents and deaths on the road will increase dramatically in the coming decades. Statistics show that pedestrians and cyclists in particular are at risk.

The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in March 2010. Its goal is to stabilize and reduce the forecast level of road traffic deaths around the world. It is estimated that 5 million lives could be saved on the world’s roads during the decade.

In response, the WHO has launched its Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 campaign, where it challenges leaders in every country to adopt all possible road safety measures without delay.

In many countries, such as the Nordic countries, Baltic countries, Russia and Poland, laws already exist requiring the use of reflectors. Similar laws are likely to spread to other countries, in the same way as laws requiring the use of reflective vests for drivers who are unexpectedly forced to abandon their vehicles.