Publication: Road Safety
Date
2003-09
ISSN
Published
2003-09
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
In 1999, between 750 000 and 880 000
persons died in road crashes worldwide, and another 23 to 34
million people were injured. The situation is particularly
critical in low and middle income countries (LMCs) where
about 86 percent of deaths from road traffic injuries occur
even though these countries account for only 40 percent of
all motor vehicles. The graph shows that the situation has
been worsening in LMCs since 1987. There are strong social,
health and economic reasons to reduce the burden of road
traffic injuries (RTIs): a) casualties affect mostly
economically active persons and have a ripple effect on
their dependents, causing suffering and poverty; and b)
crash victims represent between 30 and 86 percent of all
trauma admissions. They tend to stay in hospital longer than
average patients. Developed countries have been relatively
successful in reducing the burden of RTIs. This shows that
more, better targeted and sustainable investment can prevent
RTIs and reduce the damage that results from crashes. Poorer
countries clearly need a new and broader approach to road safety.
Citation
“World Bank. 2003. Road Safety. at a glance. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/cb33f1b5-a16f-54ec-89c3-5941afd1822b License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”