WHO report: 90 per cent of road deaths in middle, low income countries

Accra, June 27, GNA - A World Health Organisation (WHO) report shows

that more than 90 per cent of the world road death occurs in low and middle

income countries.
A press release issued by the WHO in Accra on Friday states that these

countries, however, had only 48 per cent of the world's vehicles.

“Our roads are particularly unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists

who, without the protective shell of a car around them, are more vulnerable,” it

said.
The first global assessment of road safety found that almost half of the

estimated 1.27 million people who died in road traffic crashes each year were

pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.
“Progress has been made towards protecting people in cars while the needs

of vulnerable groups of road users are not being met.”

The release said in many countries, the laws necessary to protect people were

either not in place or were not enforced.
Road deaths are estimated to reach 2.4 million a year by 2030. Road crashes

cause between 20 million and 50 million non-fatal injuries every year.

The report said in many countries, support services for road traffic victims

were inadequate.
The global status report on road safety provided the first worldwide analysis

of how well countries are implementing a number of effective road safety

measures.
These include limiting speed, reducing drink driving and increasing the use of

seatbelts, child restraints and motorcycle helmets.

The report represents information from 178 countries, accounting for over 98

per cent of the world's population.
GNA