Schumacher, who is also the German member of the Commission for Global Road Safety, has become a major supporter of the campaign since it launched at the beginning of June this year. He even took time out of his busy schedule at the British Grand Prix to meet Costa Rica’s Transport Minister, Karla Gonzalez, to discuss the Commission’s Make Roads Safe report and to announce his support for the campaign.

Schumacher said: “In my profession as a racing driver I have worked to promote safety in motor sport. We have seen that better design of both cars and circuits have vastly reduced the risks in the sport. The same positive experience can be repeated on the road.

“We know that safer cars and safer roads are vital to reduce death and injury when a crash occurs. All drivers make mistakes, even the most skilled, and the key point is to try to make sure that the consequences of human error are not fatal.

“In developing countries there is a big increase in motor vehicle use and demand for new roads. That is why the report of the Commission for Global Road Safety places such a strong emphasis on the need to invest in safer roads in developing countries. Better roads will help them avoid a huge increase in road crash deaths.

“We hope that G8 leaders will take up the recommendations of the Report and ask that they consider discussing the issue at their summit next year in Germany. We need to make people aware of the real human cost of road traffic injuries. Five hundred children are dying every day and thousands more are being disabled or injured. This is why I support the campaign to Make Roads Safe.”

To visit the campaign website please click here: www.makeroadssafe.org