Istanbul recognized for road safety progress by Partnership for Healthy Cities

The Partnership for Healthy Cities recognizes health officials in Istanbul, Türkiye, for demonstrable progress in preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries through their work to improve road safety for those most at risk – setting an example that can be replicated in other jurisdictions.

With more than half of the global population living in cities, road safety is a critical issue for leaders around the world. More than one million people die from road traffic crashes each year, and another 20 to 50 million are injured.

Istanbul’s technical leaders found that 25% of its traffic crashes involve pedestrians and, in response, developed a policy mandating reduced speed limits and infrastructure improvements within 500 meters of each of the city’s 990 primary schools, which serve more than 917,000 students. The Safe School Zones Directive was adopted in February 2025, and the city is continuing to support its implementation.