World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention

This paper is a synopsis of a major report by the WHO which collates information on crashes worldwide. It summarises the key findings and the recommendations of the report. The central theme of the Report is the burden of road traffic injuries and the urgent need for governments and other key players to increase and sustain action to prevent road traffic injuries. The specific objectives are: to describe the burden, intensity, pattern and impacts of road traffic injuries at global, regional and national levels; to examine the key determinants and risk factors; to discuss interventions and strategies that can be employed to address the problem; and to make recommendations for action at local, national and international levels. Key findings include: road traffic injuries are a huge public health and development problem predicted to worsen if appropriate action is not taken; the majority of road traffic injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries; road safety should be addressed using a "systems approach;" road safety is a shared responsibility and public health has a key role to play; and road traffic injuries can be prevented. The Report concludes by offering six recommendations: identify a lead agency in government to guide the national road traffic safety effort; assess the problem, policies and institutional settings; prepare a national road safety strategy and plan of action; allocate financial and human resources to address the problem; implement specific actions to prevent road traffic crashes, minimize injuries and their consequences, and evaluate the impact of these actions; and support the development of national capacity and international co-operation.