Road Traffic Injuries

Bachani, Abdulgafoor M.; Peden, Margie; Gururaj, Gopalkrishna; Norton, Robyn; Hyder, Adnan A. · 2017 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1596/978-1-4648-0522-6_ch3

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Summary

This chapter characterizes the global burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs), emphasizing their disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). RTIs are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), accounting for 24 percent of all injury-related deaths globally. The problem is motivated by the neglect of RTIs as a public health issue, particularly in LMICs where rapid urbanization and motorization have outpaced safety infrastructure. While high-income countries (HICs) have seen declining fatality rates, RTI mortality has increased by 46 percent globally since 1990, with LMICs bearing over 90 percent of road traffic deaths despite possessing only 54 percent of global vehicles. The authors synthesize global and regional estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources to analyze mortality, morbidity, economic costs, and risk factors. The analysis utilizes the Haddon matrix to categorize risk factors across precrash, crash, and postcrash phases involving the host, vehicle, and environment. Economic burden is assessed using frameworks such as the human capital approach, willingness-to-pay, and general equilibrium models. The review also evaluates evidence on interventions aligned with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020, focusing on safer road users, vehicles, infrastructure, and postcrash care. Key findings reveal that vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists, account for nearly 50 percent of global RTI deaths, with pedestrians comprising up to 40 percent of fatalities in low-income countries. Young men aged 15–44 are the most affected demographic, with mortality rates three times higher than women. Economically, RTIs cost LMICs approximately US$89.6 billion annually, representing 1–2 percent of their gross national product. The chapter identifies critical risk factors, including speeding, impaired driving, and inadequate vehicle safety features. Notably, many vehicles sold in LMICs lack basic safety technologies like airbags, and road infrastructure often lacks pedestrian facilities. The significance of this work lies in its comprehensive overview of the preventable nature of RTIs and the specific gaps in LMICs. The authors conclude that effective interventions require a systems approach, including strict enforcement of laws regarding speed, alcohol, and restraint use, which can reduce fatalities by up to 75 percent. They highlight that while education alone has limited evidence of effectiveness, combining it with legislation and enforcement is cost-effective. The chapter underscores the urgent need for improved postcrash care, safer vehicle standards, and protected infrastructure for vulnerable users to meet the goal of saving 5 million lives by 2020.

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• demographic disparities

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence