Addressing the Global Crisis of Road Traffic Injuries

Addressing the Global Crisis of Road Traffic Injuries

Road traffic crashes claim approximately 1.19 million lives each year and result in 20 to 50 million non-fatal injuries worldwide.

 Who Is at Risk?

- *Gender Disparity:* Males are three times more likely to die in road crashes compared to females.
- *Youth Impact:* Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults.
- *Vulnerable Road Users:* Over half of all road traffic fatalities involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
- *Economic Disparity:* 92% of road fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Risk Factors Include:

- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Not using seat belts, helmets, or child restraints
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe road infrastructure
- Unsafe vehicles
- Inadequate post-crash care
- Insufficient law enforcement

 The Good News: Road Traffic Injuries Can Be Prevented.

*Effective Interventions:*
- Designing safer infrastructure and integrating road safety into land-use and transport planning.
- Improving vehicle safety features.
- Enhancing post-crash care for victims.
- Setting and enforcing laws to address key risks.
- Raising public awareness about road safety.