New Delhi: On 11 May 2011, dozens of countries around the world kick off the first global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020. The South-East Asia Region ranks third among the six WHO regions with a rate of 16.6 road traffic injuries per 100 000 population. India is ranked second and Indonesia eighth among the top ten countries in order of magnitude for road traffic injury deaths in the world. The Decade of Action seeks to prevent road traffic deaths and injuries which experts project will take the lives of 1.9 million people annually by 2020.
Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists) make up almost three quarters of road traffic deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists collectively represent almost half of those killed on the world's roads. Most of the progress made in the last few decades has been towards protecting people in cars.
“Road traffic injury prevention requires the involvement of many sectors. In some countries the ministry of health may take the lead; in others it may be the ministries of transport, interior or other ministries who are in charge. Millions of lives could be saved if all countries prepare and implement their plans for the Decade of Action for Road Safety” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director for the WHO South-East Asia Region.
To mark the launch of the Decade, countries in the Region will host high-profile events and release national plans to improve road safety and services for road accident victims.
Road traffic injuries have become the leading killer of young people aged 15–29 years. Almost 1.3 million people die each year on the world's roads, making this the ninth leading cause of death globally. In addition to these deaths, road crashes cause between 20 million and 50 million non-fatal injuries every year. In many countries, emergency care and other support services for road traffic victims are inadequate. These avoidable injuries overload already stretched health services.
WHO will play a role in coordinating global efforts over the Decade and will monitor progress towards achieving the objectives of the Decade at the national and international levels. WHO will also continue to provide technical support to national road safety initiatives aimed at decreasing drinking and driving, and speeding; increasing the use of helmets, seat-belts and child restraints; and improving emergency care.