UEFA has launched the fifth module of its Take Care programme, focused on road safety, highlighting football’s role in promoting health and well-being both on and off the pitch. Developed in partnership with the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety (UN SSERS), the module builds on UEFA’s long-standing support for global road safety initiatives. It aims to raise awareness, encourage responsible travel, and create safer environments for players, coaches, fans, and families attending matches or training sessions.
The programme emphasizes safe mobility around football activities, from matchday travel to everyday commuting, leveraging the sport’s global influence to make road safety a shared priority. Michele Uva, UEFA’s executive director of Social & Environmental Sustainability, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to promoting responsible travel and saving lives, while Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, stressed the importance of individual responsibility alongside government and business action to reduce road traffic fatalities.
Road accidents remain a leading global cause of death and injury, claiming over 1.2 million lives annually and leaving 50 million people injured, particularly affecting young people. UEFA’s new module includes a road safety documentary narrated by UNDP goodwill ambassador Michelle Yeoh, featuring football star Ousmane Dembélé and racing driver Mick Schumacher, aiming to raise awareness and inspire safer behavior on the roads.
The module launch also included a panel discussion with Jean Todt, emphasizing that preventive measures such as observing speed limits are critical for safety. Through this initiative, UEFA and the UN seek to use football’s platform to educate, advocate, and foster a culture of responsible road use worldwide.
