WHO Report Examines Global Road Safety

Approximately 1.3 million people die each year on the world's roads, and between 20 and 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries, according to a new report on global road safety issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, which was funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies, is the first broad assessment of the road safety situation in 178 countries, using data drawn from a standardized survey. The results suggest that nearly half of those killed on roads are vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists) and the rates of death from road crashes are much higher in low-income than high-income countries. In many countries road safety laws need to be made more comprehensive, while enforcement should be strengthened. The report was released in New York on June 15 by Michael Bloomberg, head of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mayor of New York City, and Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General.

Adnan A. Hyder, MD, PhD, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the International Injury Research Unit, participated in the official announcement of the report. He was featured in 5-minute video, which illustrated the significance and scope of the global road safety challenges.

You can watch the video here.

The complete WHO report is available here.