The road to safer infrastructure is paved with collaboration, innovation, and commitment. The Ten Steps to 2030 for Safer Road Infrastructure event, hosted by the International Road Federation (IRF), in partnership with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) and the World Road Association (PIARC), brought together global leaders, policymakers, and road safety experts on 17 February 2025. Held as a side event during the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, Morocco, the event focused on how infrastructure can be a driving force behind the United Nations’ goal of halving road fatalities and injuries by 2030. 

With an overwhelming turnout and lively discussions, the event highlighted the Ten Steps Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure as a practical roadmap for governments. Participants explored how this framework, addressing challenges in policy, design, and implementation, is critical to saving lives and improving road safety globally. 

Developed by the UN Road Safety Collaboration, the Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure offers a structured approach to tackling road safety challenges. The plan targets high-risk roads through infrastructure upgrades, strengthens road safety expertise via capacity building, and advocates for evidence-based interventions based on crash data and risk assessment methodologies. To be successful, it requires political commitment, institutional capacity, and sustainable financing—three pillars that must underpin efforts to achieve the ambitious 2030 goals. 

A shining example of the Ten Steps framework in action is Tanzania’s progress as the first pilot country for the initiative. Backed by the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) and the Global Road Safety Facility, Tanzania made substantial progress over a 30-month period. This success earned the 2023 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its remarkable impact, illustrating how the Ten Steps framework, supported by strong partnerships and political will, can transform road safety. 

The Ten Steps framework is now extending its reach into Central Asia, Senegal and North and West Africa. 

The event reinforced several key principles crucial for advancing global road safety: 

• Capacity Building: Empowering professionals through training, such as the IRF’s International Registry of Road Safety Auditors. 

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilising tools like the IRF World Road Statistics to assess risks and guide investments where they are needed most. 

• Global Partnerships: as IRF’s mission statement tells “Connecting to Empower Mobility”, partnerships are crucial in supporting road safety worldwide. 

• Innovation and Technology: AI-driven assessments and crash data collection are changing how safety interventions are implemented.