WHO baton run gets underway in Scotland

Scotland’s transport minister Nicol Stephen has pledged his support to the World Health Organisation's focus this year on improving road safety. This is the first time in its history that WHO has devoted its annual World Health Day to road safety.

To highlight Scotland's commitment to the day, the Scottish Road Safety Campaign is organising for a baton to be passed across Scotland. The baton contains a document stating a commitment to supporting World Health Day that will be signed by key representatives from local authorities, police forces and health boards. The baton will finish its journey on World Health Day at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow on 7 April.

"Road safety is a major issue worldwide and it is important we support World Health Day and continue to raise awareness of road safety," said Nicol Stephen at the start of the baton run. "Last year’s figures showed that there had been a 38 per cent drop in the number of children killed or seriously compared to the mid-1990s level but there is more to be done.

"We fund the Scottish Road Safety Campaign to develop road safety publicity messages and education initiatives and it has achieved international recognition of its award-winning formula."

More @ www.srsc.org.uk.