The Status of Global Road Safety: The Agenda for Sustainable Development Encourages Urgent Action

Abstract

Every year around 1.25 million people die as a result of a road traffic collision and between 20 and 50 million more sustain non-fatal injuries, some resulting in significant long term disabilities. These deaths and injuries, while devastating to victims and their families, also cost governments between 3-5% of their Gross Domestic Product (WHO, 2015). More than a decade since the release of the WHO and World Bank World report on road traffic injury prevention in 2004 (WHO, 2004), there has been a major shift in understanding the issue. There is more recognition and increased road safety advocacy which has resulted in road traffic crashes now rightfully being considered a major health and development concern.