Legal call to cut road deaths

20/03/13

By Paulette Flahavin

Only seven per cent of the global population are protected by comprehensive road safety legislation covering the five major risk areas of alcohol and driving, speeding, seatbelts, child safety restraints and the failure to wear motorcycle helmets.

Laws are quickly needed to dramatically cut the number of road fatalities, according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) new report, 'Global status report on road safety 2013: supporting a decade of action'.

The number of global road traffic deaths showed virtually no improvement between 2007 and 2010, when 1.24 million deaths were recorded. Over that time, 88 WHO Member States recorded a reduction in road traffic fatalities, though in 87 other countries, the number increased.

The WHO report also finds:

59 countries that account for 39 per cent of the global population have put into place city speed limits of 50 km/h or below; 89 countries that account for 66 per cent of the global population have a drink-driving law in place; 90 countries that account for 77 per cent of the global population have laws requiring motorcycle helmets for all riders on any road and any type of bike;111 countries that account for 69 per cent of the global population have seat-belt laws that require all vehicle occupants to wear one; 96 countries that account for 32 per cent of the global population have laws requiring child safety restraints.

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said: "Political will is needed at the highest level of government to ensure appropriate road safety legislation and stringent enforcement of laws by which we all need to abide. If this cannot be ensured, families and communities will continue to grieve, and health systems will continue to bear the brunt of injury and disability due to road traffic crashes."

Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York City and the philanthropist whose foundation funded the report, said: "The Global status report on road safety 2013 serves as a strong warning to governments that more needs to be done to protect all those who use the roads. Road traffic fatalities and injuries are preventable. This report.demonstrates that progress is being made, but we still have a long way to go."

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