Road traffic crashes result in the deaths of approximately 1.19 million people around the world each year and leave between 20 and 50 million people with non-fatal injuries.
Who is at risk?
Males are typically 3 times more likely to be killed in road crashes than females.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults.
More than half of all road traffic deaths are among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
92% of the world’s fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries.
There are several risk factors, including:
Speeding
Driving under influence
Not using seat-belts, helmets, child restrains
Distracted driving
Unsafe road infrastructure
Unsafe vehicles
Inadequate post-crash care
Inadequate law enforcement
Road traffic injuries can be prevented!
Effective interventions include designing safer infrastructure and incorporating road safety features into land-use and transport planning, improving the safety features of vehicles; enhancing post-crash care for victims of road traffic crashes; setting and enforcing laws relating to key risks, and raising public awareness.
