Annual Road Traffic Deaths Hit 1.35 Million Across the Globe

Road traffic deaths continue to rise, with an annual 1.35 million fatalities across the world making it one of the leading killer of children and young people between 5 and 20 years, says the WHO Global status report on road safety 2018.

According to the report, despite an increase in the overall number of deaths, the rates of death relative to the size of the world population have stabilized in recent years which suggests that existing road safety efforts in some middle- and high-income countries have mitigated the situation.

In the settings where progress has been made, it is largely attributed to better legislation around key risks such as speeding, drinking and driving, and failing to use seat-belts, motorcycle helmets and child restraints; safer infrastructure like sidewalks and dedicated lanes for cyclists and motorcyclists; improved vehicle standards such as those that mandate electronic stability control and advanced braking; and enhanced post-crash care.

The report further notes that these measures have contributed to reductions in road traffic deaths in 48 middle- and high-income countries. However, not a single low-income country has demonstrated a reduction in overall deaths, in large part because these measures are lacking.

Road traffic deaths continue to be a challenge in Kenya and according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 2,945 had people had been killed on road by December 12, 2018, compared to 2,714 who died by the same period in 2017.

Pedestrians lead the group with 1,125 having lost their lives while on the other hand, 624 passengers had succumbed to their injuries.

The World Health Organization, back in 2014, estimated that Kenya loses about five percent of its GDP or Sh387.5 billion to traffic crashes.

The risk of a road traffic death remains three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries. The rates are highest in Africa (26.6 per 100 000 population) and lowest in Europe (9.3 per 100 000 population).

Globally, pedestrians and cyclists account for 26 percent of all road traffic deaths, with that figure as high as 44 percent in Africa and 36 percent in the Eastern Mediterranean. Motorcycle riders and passengers account for 28 percent of all road traffic deaths.