Note: This article is useful for MPSC MAINS PAPER 3
Key risk factors and what can be done to address them:
- WHO publishes a Global status reports on road safety.
- The first Global status report on road safety, published in 2009, provided the first comprehensive assessment of the road safety situation globally.
- while the second report – which will serve as a baseline for the Decade of Action for Road Safety – was released on 14 March 2013.
Key facts
About 1.24 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15–29 years.
91% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low-income and middle-income countries, even though these countries have approximately half of the world's vehicles.
Half of those dying on the world’s roads are “vulnerable road users”: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Without action, road traffic crashes are predicted to result in the deaths of around 1.9 million people annually by 2020.
Only 28 countries, representing 416 million people (7% of the world’s population), have adequate laws that address all five risk factors (speed, drink-driving, helmets, seat-belts and child restraints).
Who is at risk?
Socioeconomic status:
About 1.24 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15–29 years.
91% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low-income and middle-income countries, even though these countries have approximately half of the world's vehicles.
Half of those dying on the world’s roads are “vulnerable road users”: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Without action, road traffic crashes are predicted to result in the deaths of around 1.9 million people annually by 2020.
Only 28 countries, representing 416 million people (7% of the world’s population), have adequate laws that address all five risk factors (speed, drink-driving, helmets, seat-belts and child restraints).
Who is at risk?
Socioeconomic status:
More than 90% of deaths that result from road traffic injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Even within high-income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in a road traffic crashes than their more affluent counterparts.
Age:Young adults aged between 15 and 44 years account for 59% of global road traffic deaths.
Sex:From a young age, males are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes than females.
Even within high-income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in a road traffic crashes than their more affluent counterparts.
Age:Young adults aged between 15 and 44 years account for 59% of global road traffic deaths.
Sex:From a young age, males are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes than females.
More than three-quarters (77%) of all road traffic deaths occur among men.
Among young drivers, young males under the age of 25 years are almost 3 times as likely to be killed in a car crash as young females.
Key risk factors and what can be done to address them:
Speed:An increase in average speed is directly related both to the likelihood of a crash occurring and to the severity of the consequences of the crash.
Pedestrians have a greater chance of surviving a car crash at 30 km/h or below.Drink–driving
Drinking and driving increases both the risk of a crash and the likelihood that death or serious injury will result.
The risk of being involved in a crash increases significantly above a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 g/dl.
Enforcing sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing can lead to reductions in alcohol-related crashes of about 20% and have shown to be very cost-effective.
Motorcycle helmets:
Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can reduce the risk of death by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by over 70%.
Seat-belts and child restraints:
Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of a fatality among front-seat passengers by 40–50% and of rear-seat passengers by between 25–75%.
Distracted driving:There are many types of distractions that can lead to impaired driving, but recently there has been a marked increase around the world in the use of mobile phones by drivers that is becoming a growing concern for road safety.
Pedestrians have a greater chance of surviving a car crash at 30 km/h or below.Drink–driving
Drinking and driving increases both the risk of a crash and the likelihood that death or serious injury will result.
The risk of being involved in a crash increases significantly above a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 g/dl.
Enforcing sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing can lead to reductions in alcohol-related crashes of about 20% and have shown to be very cost-effective.
Motorcycle helmets:
Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can reduce the risk of death by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by over 70%.
Seat-belts and child restraints:
Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of a fatality among front-seat passengers by 40–50% and of rear-seat passengers by between 25–75%.
Distracted driving:There are many types of distractions that can lead to impaired driving, but recently there has been a marked increase around the world in the use of mobile phones by drivers that is becoming a growing concern for road safety.
WHO response
Coordinating the Decade of Action for Road Safety:
In 2010 a United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaimed a Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020).
Coordinating the Decade of Action for Road Safety:
In 2010 a United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaimed a Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020).
This Decade was launched in May 2011 in over 110 countries, with the aim of saving millions of lives by improving the safety of roads and vehicles; enhancing the behaviour of road users; and improving emergency services.
Monitoring progress through global status reportsProviding technical support to countries
Monitoring progress through global status reportsProviding technical support to countries
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