Challenge Bibendum - Road safety : making roads safer

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Making roads safer

05-9-2010 by Challenge Bibendum

Resume:
Every year in the world, 1,3 million people are killed and 50 millions injured on the roads. With the increasing number of vehicles, especially in emerging countries, the human and economic road safety challenge is considerable.

Too many road crash victims

Road traffic accidents in the world totals every year 1.3 million killed and 50 million injured, of which 7.8 million are seriously injured. This situation imposes a financial burden on families and the community: close to 2% of global GDP. Nearly 90% of the fatalities occur in middle- and low-income nations despite the fact they only account for under half of the total number of vehicles. These are the very countries where the number of vehicles will increase the most and where the mix of vehicles and vulnerable road users increases the risk. As traffic intensifies the toll will only get worse. Some predict that deaths could reach 2 million by 2020.

Accidents are not the price to pay to access mobility

Most collisions have known causes that are predictable and avoidable. This is demonstrated by the improved situation in high-income countries, even although traffic is increasing. Road safety depends on the interaction of three principal factors: road infrastructure, vehicles and users. Driver behaviour is the main cause of accidents. However improving both vehicles and road infrastructure will reduce the risk of accidents.

Mobility without safety is not sustainable

Other stakes of sustainable mobility, such as congestion, pollution and fuel savings, all impact and interact with road safety. Mobility without safety is not sustainable. A systems approach requires commitment and interaction from vehicle and road makers, operators and providers of infrastructure and lastly but most importantly from road users.

Tackling the issue

The “World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention” makes some general recommendations. The issue is best addressed from a national standpoint with an overarching agency for coordination. Policies and infrastructure measures should protect all road users and in particular the vulnerable road users. The harmonization of vehicle and road safety regulations is essential. There is a need to strengthen the enforcement of existing regulations and improve where necessary. Use work-related safety programs to outreach the general public.