According to the World Health Organization’s recent 2013 Global Status Report on Road Safety, “worldwide the total number of road traffic deaths remains unacceptably high at 1.24 million per year.” The report indicates that only 28 countries have comprehensive safety laws that cover key risk factors. The report is to serve as a “baseline for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, declared by the UN General Assembly.”
Part of resqme, Inc.’s mission statement is to provide the latest in safety information regarding road and highway safety. Below is an infographic by WHO detailing facts regarding road injuries.
A staggering 1.24 million road traffic deaths occur each year. To view additional infographics in English, as well as Spanish and French, please visit here. The infographics also detail key risk factors which include:
1. Drinking and driving,
2. Speeding,
3. Failing to use motorcycle helmets
4. Failing to use seat-belts
5. Failing to use child restraints.
According to a press release statement from earlier this year, the report also “highlights the importance of issues such as vehicle safety standards; road infrastructure inspections; policies on walking and cycling; and aspects of pre-hospital care systems. It also indicates if countries have a national strategy which sets measurable targets to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.” The report also indicates groups who are most at risk for road safety deaths including: young people, pedestrians, and those living in the WHO Africa Region.
The life-saving awareness and critical information the report provides will hopefully affect change at levels of government who are in charge of road safety regulation and legislation. Millions of innocent lives can be saved with fundamental understanding of risks and how to prevent them.
To view the entire report, click Full Report.
Sources: WHO
