Kazakhstan has officially joined the United Nations’ global road safety campaign #MakeASafetyStatement — and this isn’t just another awareness initiative, DKNews.kz reports.
It’s part of a worldwide push to tackle what experts increasingly call a “silent pandemic” on our roads.
Starting April 3, 2026, residents of Astana and Almaty began noticing something new across the city: bold, eye-catching billboards featuring global celebrities with a simple message — your choices on the road save lives.
A Global Campaign — Now in Kazakhstan
The campaign is led by the United Nations through the Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, in partnership with JCDecaux and creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi.
Already active in 80+ countries and over 1,000 cities, the initiative uses a powerful mix of outdoor advertising, digital platforms, and public influence to change everyday behavior on the road.
Kazakhstan’s rollout is supported locally by RTSDecaux, placing campaign visuals in high-traffic urban areas — from bus shelters to major city streets.
Why This Campaign Hits Close to Home
Let’s be honest: road safety isn’t something most people think about — until it’s too late.
According to official data:
- 36,146 road accidents were recorded in Kazakhstan in 2025
- 1,796 of them were fatal
- Every year, more than 2,000 people lose their lives on Kazakh roads
Globally, the situation is even more alarming:
- Around 1.19 million people die annually in road crashes
- Road accidents are the leading cause of death among young people
Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, put it bluntly:
Road crashes are a silent pandemic.
What’s the Goal?
The campaign isn’t about complicated rules or abstract policies. It focuses on simple, life-saving behaviors, such as:
- Wearing seat belts
- Avoiding speeding
- Never driving under the influence
- Staying alert as pedestrians and cyclists
These may sound obvious — but they are still among the leading causes of fatal accidents.
The bigger picture? The campaign supports the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to cut global road deaths in half by 2030.
Star Power With a Purpose
To grab attention — and actually change behavior — the campaign brings in globally recognized faces:
- Novak Djokovic
- Michelle Yeoh
- Michael Fassbender
- Jean Reno
- Didier Drogba
- Charles Leclerc
In total, 16 international celebrities and Olympic athletes are involved, delivering messages in all six official UN languages.
Why celebrities? Because people listen. And sometimes, a familiar face can make a message stick in a way statistics never will.
More Than Just Ads — A Cultural Shift
What makes this campaign different is its focus on personal responsibility.
It’s not just about governments or laws — it’s about every driver, passenger, and pedestrian making better choices.
As UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa noted, road safety is:
Not just a transport issue — but a matter of public health and human life.
And that’s the key idea:
Every accident prevented is not luck — it’s a decision.
Why Kazakhstan’s Participation Matters
Kazakhstan’s inclusion in the campaign signals something bigger:
- A growing recognition of road safety as a national priority
- A push toward safer, more sustainable cities
- A chance to align with global standards and practices
With cities expanding and traffic increasing, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
The Bottom Line
This campaign isn’t about slogans — it’s about saving lives.
And while billboards and celebrities may start the conversation, the real impact depends on something much simpler:
What each of us does the next time we step onto the road.
