High toll of road traffic crashes
Every 24 seconds one person dies on the world’s roads[1]. Road traffic deaths have reached 1.35 million a year and it is the leading killer of children and young people from 5 to 29 years. In addition, 20 to 50 million non-fatal injuries yearly are caused by road traffic crashes, leaving people severely disabled and unable to work. The economic cost of road traffic injuries is also staggering - for the individuals involved, their families and the government. The economic toll is a result of high treatment costs and lost productivity by those injured or family members with added caring responsibilities.
93% of fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries. In Sri Lanka, police data indicates that there were 2,513 deaths with nearly 6,401 people suffering major injuries from crashes in 2021.
Figure 1: Number of road traffic accidents and deaths in Sri Lanka
(Source: Sri Lanka Police)
“Road traffic deaths and injuries take a huge toll on families and society, and pose a strain on the country’s healthcare,” says Dr Alaka Singh, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka. “By addressing the risk factors for road traffic crashes, such as speeding, distracted driving or failing to use seatbelts, we can build safer transport system for all road users.”
Accelerating interventions to drive change
In response to this growing challenge, the United Nations General Assembly has set a target to halve the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2030.
Addressing key risk factors of road traffic crashes, such as driving at high speeds, or under the influence of alcohol, distracted driving (e.g. use of mobile phones), non-usage of motorcycle helmets, unsafe vehicles and road infrastructure, are necessary to reduce fatalities and injuries from road traffic accidents. Additionally, improving post-crash care by increasing access to timely and quality hospital care can drastically reduce the severity of injuries and save lives.
Coordinated multi-sectoral action across transport, police, health, and education sectors is imperative to implement a “Safe System” approach (safe roads, safe road users, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe roadsides) to eliminate fatal crashes and reduce injuries.
WHO’s leadership on the global road safety agenda
As the lead agency for road safety in the United Nations, WHO plays a critical role in supporting road safety efforts through technical support for road safety policy planning, implementation and evaluation; leading advocacy at the highest political levels and increasing public awareness on reducing road safety risks.
WHO coordinates global efforts under the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, by guiding integrated and comprehensive initiatives on the Global Plan which emphasizes a holistic approach to road safety through the design of cities, roads and vehicles; enhancement of laws and law enforcement; and provision of timely, life-saving emergency care for the injured.
Additionally, WHO released ‘Save LIVES’ a road safety technical package which emphasizes six core components and 22 interventions important to address the risk factors of road traffic crashes. These components are Speed management, Leadership on road safety, Infrastructure design and improvement, Vehicle safety standards, Enforcement of traffic laws and Survival after a crash. These measures are all interconnected, grounded in evidence and can contribute to a 50% reduction in road traffic death and injuries around the world by 2030.
In addition, WHO monitors progress on road safety through global status reports which capture information from 175 countries including Sri Lanka. This provides a robust evidence base to inform programming and interventions under the United Nations Decade of Action.
Strengthening national systems and capacities
In Sri Lanka, the WHO has helped the Government to expand digital platforms to monitor and address traffic violations. The e-traffic system was launched by the Sri Lanka Police in May 2021 with WHO technical support whereby people can report traffic violations directly into a digital system which enables prompt legal action against road traffic violators. Such innovative interventions have helped to create greater public awareness of the importance of abiding by road traffic rules.
Sri Lanka police officers also increased their awareness of the intricacies of road traffic legislation following capacity building by WHO on the utilization of the Sri Lanka Accident Data Management System (SLADMS). Police officers are now actively uploading information to the SLADMS on road traffic crashes in real-time (with photos) which has helped to highlight blackspots in the system for targeted interventions - such as through highlighting accident-prone areas due to poor road surface conditions, reduced visibility etc.
“The Ministry of Health continues to work closely with WHO, and is currently increasing advocacy with stakeholders across key sectors for the implementation of a ‘National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Action Plan on Injury Prevention and Management,” says Dr Samiddhi Samarakoon, Director, NCD, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. “By driving strategic interventions to improve road safety, post-event care, and surveillance we can prevent and manage injuries better.”
With only seven years left to achieve the targets of halving deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes, WHO is doubling its efforts and leveraging lessons learned to accelerate progress on increasing road safety and saving lives.
For more information:
WHO: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: 20 November 2022
https://www.who.int/groups/united-nations-road-safety-collaboration/world-day-of-remembrance/2022
United Nations: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: 20 November 2022
https://www.un.org/en/observances/road-traffic-victims-day
Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030
Save lives: a road safety technical package
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/save-lives-a-road-safety-technical-package