It is appropriate that on Youth Day in South Africa, we also reflect on road safety for this vulnerable generation. The first global assessment of road safety has found that almost half of the estimated 1.27 million people who die in road traffic crashes each year are pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists. While progress has been made towards protecting people in cars, the needs of these vulnerable groups of road users are not being met.
Each year, almost 400,000 young people under 25 years old are killed in a road traffic crash – about 1049 youngsters every day across the globe. Most of these tragic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and those using public transport.
Why are our younger road users at such a risk?
Young road users are at risk for road traffic injuries for a number of reasons:
• insufficient consideration of their specific needs when roads are being planned;
• physical and developmental characteristics that increase their risk, for example, the small stature of young children;
• risk taking behaviour and peer pressure particularly among adolescents; and
• other risk factors such as speeding, drink-driving, not using helmets or not wearing seat-belts.
We need to quote from the information made available by the World Health Organization:
“More than 90 per cent of the world’s road deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries, while these countries only have 48 per cent of the world’s vehicles,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability. “Our roads are particularly unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who, without the protective shell of a car around them, are more vulnerable.
These road users need to be given increased attention. Measures such as building sidewalks, raised crossings and separate lanes for two wheelers; reducing drink-driving and excessive speed; increasing the use of helmets and improving trauma care are some of the interventions that could save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.”
May we care for our youth through an increased focus on road safety education and special attention to pedestrian and cycling safety!
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