In 2002, road
traffic injuries accounted for 2.6 percent of the worldwide burden
from disease and made up approximately 23 percent of all deaths from
injury, compared to other deaths such as suicide at 16.9 percent,
war at 3.4 percent and other acts of violence at 10.8 percent. Experts
estimated the number of people injured in traffic accidents each year
could be as high as 50 million and has captured less attention from
the media than less common and unusual types of deaths.
Research has shown the rapid growth of motorized vehicles in the
developing areas of the world has increased the number of traffic-related
deaths. An example of this could be seen in 1998, when India lost
217,000 people due to road accidents. Britain on the other hand,
is considered to have the safest roads in the world.
Statistics of people killed on the road
by countries:
- Britain--5.9 out of 100,000 people are killed on the road annually
- European union as a whole--11 out of 100,000 people
- Japan--8.2 out of 100,000 people
- United States--15.2 out of 100,000 people
- El Salvador--42.2 out of 100,000 people
The report claimed in order to lessen the number of deaths on the
roads, strategies needed to be implemented that target changing
drivers’ behaviors such as better medical and emergency care,
random breath testing, safer cars, seatbelt and helmet laws and
greater political involvement.
British
Medical Journal April 10, 2004;328:851