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World Health Day
2004 : Road Safety is No Accident
Road safety is a
result of deliberate efforts on the part of many sectors of
society - government and non-government alike - once these sectors
have acknowledged it to be an important and valuable public good,
and have developed policies and programmes to support and maintain
it.
In response to a growing concern about road traffic injuries, the
WHO Director-General has, for the first time in the history of
WHO, devoted a WHD specifically to Road Safety.
Each year road traffic injuries take the lives of 1.2 million men,
women and children around the world, and seriously injure millions
more.
The death toll is highest and still growing in low and
middle-income countries, where pedestrians, motorcyclists,
cyclists and passengers are especially vulnerable. In addition to
human suffering, estimated costs of road traffic injuries are
between 1% and 2% of GNP per annum in these countries. This
represents a loss of approximately US$ 65 billion every year;
almost twice the total development assistance received worldwide
by developing countries.
Yet road traffic injuries can be prevented. Addressing issues such
as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol; promoting
the use of helmets, seat belts and other restraints; ensuring that
people walking and cycling are more easily visible: improving the
design of roads and vehicles; enforcing road safety regulations;
and improving emergency response services has demonstrated that
the needless deaths and disabilities caused by road traffic
collisions can be prevented.
Road traffic injuries
facts:
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Road traffic injuries killed an estimated 1.2
million persons in 1998.
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Over 70% - nearly 850,000 persons - killed in
road traffic injuries in 1998 were under 45 years of age.
Key factors
responsible for road traffic injuries are preventable:
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Driving under influence of alcohol
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Speeding
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Under-utilization of seat belts and child
restraints
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Poor road design and roadway environment
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Unsafe vehicle design
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Under-implementation of road safety standards
India: Fact File
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85% of all road accident deaths occur in
developing countries and nearly half in the Asia-Pacific region.
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India accounts for about 10 percent of road
accident fatalities worldwide.
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An estimated 1,275,000 persons are grievously
injured on the road every year.
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Social cost of annual accidents in India has
been estimated at $ 11,000.
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Professionalism in driver training is absent,
proportion of untrained drivers is continually on the rise and a
positive driving culture is lacking.
(Information provided by the Institute of Road Traffic
Education, a nongovernmental organization based in New Delhi)
Source:
http://www.newsindia-times.com/2002/09/13/med30-poor.html
Initiatives of Prime
Minister of India on Road Transport and Highways Safety
Since Independence, road transport, the very backbone of trade and
commerce and, consequently, the economic growth of the country,
has been under-utilized. However, in a span of five years, under
the able leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Government
has taken far-reaching infrastructure development initiatives,
with special focus on the road transport sector. The National
Highway Development Programme, Prime Minister’s Rural Roads
Project and other which are going to provide multi-lane, all
weather roads will give result in reduction of road-side accidents
and prevent human suffering.
Think! Advice - top ten road safety tips
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Don't use your mobile phone whilst driving
Making or receiving a call, even using a hands-free phone, can
distract your attention from driving and could lead to an
accident.
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Belt up in the back
In a collision, an unbelted rear seat passenger can kill or
seriously injure the driver or a front seat passenger.
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Don't drink and drive
Any alcohol, even a small amount, can impair your driving so be
a safe driver don't drink and drive.
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Slow down
At 35mph you are twice as likely to kill someone you hit as
at 30mph.
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Children
Children often act impulsively, take extra care outside
schools, near buses and ice cream vans when they might be
around.
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Take a break
Tiredness is thought to be a major factor in more than 10%
of road accidents. Plan to stop for at least a 15-minute break
every 2 hours on a long journey.
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Walk safely
When crossing a road always use a pedestrian crossing if
there is one nearby. Help others to see you by wearing
fluorescent or reflective clothing in poor light conditions.
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Anticipate
Observe and anticipate other road users, use your mirrors
regularly and don't forget to glance into your blind area before
altering your course.
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Use child seats
Child and baby seats should be fitted properly and checked
every trip.
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Keep your distance
Always keep a two second gap between you and the car in
front.
Source:
http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/toptentips.htm
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