Road accidents kill 1.2m a year
2007-04-23 13:27
Manila - Traffic accidents worldwide claim 1.2 million lives a year and injure millions more, the World Health Organisation said in a report released on Monday.
Every day 1 000 people under the age of 25 are killed in traffic accidents, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low to middle-income countries mainly in Africa and Asia, it said.
The report said traffic accidents were the biggest killer of young people between the ages of 15 and 19, far higher than HIV/Aids.
Many of the young people killed are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or passengers on cheap public transport.
In Asia, where the motorcycle is often the family vehicle, helmets are rarely used, partly because of their cost and the lack of helmets for children, the WHO said.
"Young motorcyclists make up a significant percentage of injuries and fatalities among road users in many Asian countries.
Factors such as speed, no helmets, risk-taking behaviour and drunk-driving contribute to the rising trend," it said.
WHO said that by wearing helmets correctly, the risk of death is cut by some 40% and the risk of severe injury by 72%.
Safety laws rarely enforced
In many low-income countries, laws enforcing the wearing of protective helmets are rarely enforced.
The report said millions more are injured and often remained disabled for life.
In high-income countries, most of those killed or injured in road accidents are drivers of four-wheeled vehicles.
The agency proposed "simple measures" that can be enforced to minimise injuries and deaths from road accidents.
These include setting and enforcing appropriate speed limits and drink driving laws, child restraint laws and the mandatory use of seat belts and helmets.