UNITAR
23 June 2025, New York, USA - Just steps from the United Nations Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, UNITAR’s “Safe Driving is Cool” mural stands at the corner of Tunnel Exit Street and E 39th Street. This 5,200 square feet public artwork is a reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.6, which aims to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
Art has long been a powerful medium to spark social transformation. This mural demonstrates how street art can contribute to building stronger community bonds around key development challenges. The Mural aims to reinforce positive social norms—making responsible behaviour on the road something admired, something aspirational. In short, it aims to remind us that safe driving is cool. - Highlighted Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR, during her recent visit.
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The vibrant piece of public art is more than a visual statement; it is a call to action aligned with the UN Decade of Action for Safety (2021-2030), which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030.
Portraying a hopeful and dynamic vision of safer streets, the mural features expressive characters in motion—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers navigating vibrant urban scenes. It brings road safety themes to life through a language that is visual, emotional, and universally understood.
The Mural is further animated through its augmented reality component. By using the “Behind the Wall” mobile app, viewers can interact with the artwork on their phones, unlocking educational content that raises awareness on road safety and encourages people to take action in their daily lives.
Facilitated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) and the City of New York Mayor’s Office, the “Safe Driving is Cool” mural continues to serve as a symbol of what’s possible when creativity, education, and partnership converge. It is not just paint on brick—it is an invitation to everyone to reflect, engage, and make safer choices.
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