Gom Mirian
Road traffic crashes continue to be the leading killer of children and youths aged five to 29 years, with more than two deaths occurring per minute and over 3,200 per day.
This is according to the latest report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday.
It noted that although the annual number of road traffic deaths worldwide slightly decreased to 1.19 million per year, the situation still portrays a persistent global health crisis as pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users continue to face an increasing risk of death.
Expressing concern over the situation, the Director-General, WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, asserted that although the number of road crash deaths was decreasing, it was not happening quickly enough.
He emphasised that the carnage on roads was preventable and urged all countries to prioritise the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users by placing them at the centre of their transport systems.
“The carnage on our roads is preventable. We call on all countries to put people rather than cars at the centre of their transport systems, and ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users,” he stated.
Among the United Nations Member States, 108 countries reported a decline in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021.
“Additionally, ten countries have successfully reduced road traffic deaths by over 50 per cent, namely Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Thirty-five more countries have made notable progress, reducing deaths by 30% to 50%,” the report added.
