The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released a report on the current status of road traffic safety globally.
1.25 million people die each year from road traffic crashes
90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle- income countries
Only 54% of the world vehicles are in these countries
Countries in Africa have the highest death rates per capita
Vulneable groups include:
Motorcyclists (23% of global deaths)
Pedestrians (22% of global deaths)
Cyclists (4% of global deaths)
From a postive perspective, road traffic deaths are stabilzing even though the number of motor vehicles are rapidly increasing.
The bottom line- injuries are preventable. Continued policy efforts, laws with enforncement, can save lives. Specific life saving legislation includes:
seat belt laws that apply to all occupants
maximum speed, such as urban speed limits of 50 Km/h (31 mph)
child restraint, based upon age, height or weight
helmet laws that apply to all drivers, passengers and road types
drink-driving laws with specific blood alcohol concentrations (e.g.: 0.05 g/dl or less)
