Dominica observes the 3rd Annual Road Safety Week, May 4 to 10, 2015, under the theme "Save Kids Lives". The United Nations General Assembly in March 2010 declared the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020, in recognition of the fact that deaths and injuries on the world’s roads are increasing and have reached crisis levels. In Dominica, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 years and is the third leading cause of death for those aged 25-44 years, in Dominica.
This year's activities marking Road Safety Week 2015 is spearheaded by the Traffic Department of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Service, with assistance from the Ministry of Health and Environment Violence and Injury Surveillance System (VISS) Committee. The objectives seek to:
- Promote safer road use among children.
- Increase awareness on road safety among the general public with special awareness of child road users.
The main highlights of the week are:
- Stakeholder's workshop to finalize the draft National Strategy and Plan of Action for the Decade of Road Safety developed by VISS Committee with the assistance from the Pan American Health Organization and Ross University.
- Town Hall discussion on Road Safety by the Police, Ministry of Health and Environment, the Bus and Taxi Associations and Insurance Companies.
Other activities organized to mark the occasion include an address by the Honourable Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security; Media Public awareness campaign; Promotion of use of seat belts and helmets; Demonstration on pedestrian and street crossings by the Police and distribution of bumper stickers.