Author's response

Matthew Ericson follows Ian Roberts (JRSM 2007;100:360-2) by implying that the FIA Foundation is a lobby group aligned with the motor industry. This is false. We are an independent charity promoting road safety. The representative body for motorists is the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) which in 2001 helped to establish the Foundation with a $300 million gift. We support safety for all road users, not just motorists. Both the Foundation and the FIA have strongly advocated safer standards for vehicle occupants and pedestrians, at times opposed by car manufacturers.

The Commission for Global Road Safety, with the Foundation's support, favours a ‘safe systems’ response to road injury. The Commission's call for a $300 million action plan, improved road infrastructure safety and a UN Ministerial Conference are neutral between stakeholders. We both advocate stronger action to protect vulnerable road users. The Foundation is a member of the Global Road Safety Partnership Executive with the World Bank, WHO, Red Cross, governments and some automotive industry companies. This is not evidence of ‘corporate capture’ but rather a multi-sector approach to injury prevention.

Matthew Ericson is right that road safety's global policymaking structure is weak. The UN system has dedicated aviation and maritime safety bodies but no equivalent for road safety. We believe there should be. That is why the proposed UN Ministerial Conference is so important. The Ministerial Conference is likely to be agreed when the General Assembly debates the issue next March. The Russian Federation has offered to host the Ministerial Conference, which will be a focal point for all stakeholders involved in road safety. The Commission, with our support, has provided an opportunity for the international community to take action to promote the safety of all road users. I think Ian Roberts and Matthew Ericson should acknowledge this rather than promote false conspiracy theories.