Road Safety - Slow Driving Will Save More Lives

[gayanath]

Slow driving in urban areas not only reduce your fuel consumption, but also save more lives of pedestrians.

Found following statement on page 21 of "Global status report on road safety 2015" issued by World Health Organization (WHO)

"An adult pedestrian has less than a 20% chance of dying if struck by a car at less than 50 km/h but almost a 60% risk of dying if hit at 80 km/h."

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2015/en/

Further, found below as well on their website and quote for your information.

10 FACTS ON GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY

1. Every year, there are 1.25 million road traffic deaths worldwide

There were 1.25 million road traffic deaths globally in 2013 – a figure that has plateaued since 2007, despite the increase in global motorization and population and the predicted rise in deaths.

Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among all age groups and the number one cause of death among those aged 15–29 years.

2. 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries

These countries have only 54% of the world’s registered vehicles.

3. Vulnerable road users account for half of all road traffic deaths globally

Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders of motorized 2-wheelers and their passengers are collectively known as "vulnerable road users". The proportion of road traffic deaths in vulnerable road users is greater in low-income countries than in high-income countries.

4. Controlling speed reduces road traffic injuries

Only 47 countries, representing 13% of the world’ population, have laws that meet best practice on urban speed. This includes a national urban maximum speed limit of 50 km/h, andlocal authorities that have the power to reduce this limit, when necessary, to ensure safe speeds locally.

5. Drinking alcohol and driving increases the risk of a crash

Above a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 g/dl, the risk of road traffic crash increases dramatically. Only 34 countries, representing 2.1 billion people, have national drink–driving laws that meet best practice. ¬– WHO recommends a BAC of less than or equal to 0.05 g/dl. a lower limit of less than or equal to 0.02 g/dl for young and novice drivers.

6. Wearing a good-quality helmet can reduce the risk of death from a road crash by 40%

Wearing a good-quality helmet can reduce the risk of severe injury by over 70%. Only 44 countries (representing 17% of the world’s population) have motorcycle helmet laws that meet best practice. These laws apply to all drivers and passengers, all roads and engine types, require the helmet to be fastened, and make reference to a particular helmet standard.

7. Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of death among front-seat passengers by 40–65%

Wearing a seat-belt can also reduce deaths among rear-seat car occupants by 25–75%. Some 105 countries, representing 67% of the world’s population, have seat-belt laws that cover both front and rear seat occupants, in line with best practice.

8. Infant seats, child seats and booster seats can reduce child deaths by 54–80% in the event of a crash

More than half of all countries have implemented a law on child-restraint use in cars. Only 53 countries, representing 1.2 billion people, have a child restraint law that meets best practice. Best practice laws apply age,weight, orheight) restrictions on children sitting in the front seat, and make the national child restraint law based on age, height or weight.

9. Prompt, good-quality pre-hospital care can save the lives of many people injured in road traffic crashes

The most efficient way to activate an emergency response is through a universal, centralized access number with central dispatch. Universal access number to activate emergency service response exist in 116 countries.

10. Vehicles sold in 80% of all countries worldwide fail to meet basic safety standards

The safety of vehicles plays a critical role both in averting crashes and reducing the likelihood of serious injury in the event of a crash. The UN World Forum for Harmonization provides 7 key regulations that help ensure safe vehicles but only 40 countries have adopted all 7 regulations, and 35 of these are high-income countries.

Edited April 21, 2016 by gayanath