UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: International EM

Title: Vulnerable Road Users

Keywords: road traffic accidents, international, global, public health (PubMed Search)

Posted: 2/5/2014 by Andrea Tenner, MD (Updated: 3/29/2024)
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General Information:

  • 1.24 million people die each year on the world's roads
  • 50% of those dying on the world’s roads are vulnerable road users (VRUs-- those most at risk in traffic, i.e. those unprotected by an outside shield)
    • 23% motorcyclists, 22% pedestrians, 5% cyclists
    • Children and elderly are overrepresented among victims

Area of the world affected:

  • In 2010, low- and middle-income countries had higher road traffic fatality rates (18.3 and 20.1 per 100,000, respectively) compared to high-income countries (8.7).
  • The African region had the highest road traffic fatality rate, at 24.1, while the European region had the lowest rate, at 10.3.

Relevance to the US physician:

  • While public health measures are key in reducing the risk to VRUs, improving the provision of emergency medical services may also result in a higher proportion of victims surviving on the road or on the way to a health clinic.
  • Travelers should also be mindful of the risks of motorcycles, bicycles, and walking along the roadside

Bottom Line:

VRU traffic injuries are the greatest challenge of today's worldwide road safety. 

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health

Author: Terrence Mulligan DO, MPH

References