More than 270,000 pedestrians lose their lives on roads each year, the United Nations health agency said today, calling on governments to improve traffic safety.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pedestrian casualties account for 22 per cent of the total 1.24 million road traffic deaths. To draw attention to the needs of pedestrians and generate action to protect them, WHO organized the Second UN Global Road Safety Week, which kicks off on 6 May with events in 70 countries.