He told a local delegation led by Acting Prime Minister Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin road education, proper road infrastructure, enforcement of regulations and proper vehicles are critical to improving safety on the country’s highways. Benjamin committed the government to enacting proper legislation and providing proper roads.

Todt in turn promised that Antigua & Barbuda’s transport minister would be invited to a high-level meeting next year in Geneva to get a better grasp of the guidelines.

“A little country like Antigua could be a strong promoter of Vision Zero in the Caribbean,” Todt challenged.

The FIA president advised the government to move with speed to improve safety at the country’s new drag racing strip which he toured Monday during a two-day visit to the Caribbean country.

He spoke of being impressed with the facility but declared it would be “counter-productive” if an accident occurred at the track because no safety measures were in place.

Road accidents claims 1.3 million lives globally every year and 20 to 50 million more are injured. It is the number one cause of death among young people aged 10-30 and takes the lives of 500 children each day, Todt said.

The whirlwind tour Antigua included a meeting with the president of the national Road Safety Group, Alice Ho-Tack, with the FIA head suggesting the government and private sector work more closely to drive the agenda.

So far for the year the country has recorded two road fatalities. Thirteen people died in traffic accidents last year.

Todt departed Antigua for Jamaica on Monday afternoon.