India suffers from highest number of road accidents: WHO

csv8 · 06-05-2011, 06:12 PM

India suffers from highest number of road accidents: WHO
Published: Thursday, May 5, 2011, 20:18 IST
Place: Geneva | Agency: PTI
India suffers from the highest number of deaths - around 1,05,000 in absolute terms annually-due to road accidents in the world owing to poor infrastructure and dangerous driving habits, the World Health Organisation said today.

Poor road infrastructure, failure to comply with speed limits, growing drinking and driving habits, and refusal to use proper motorcycle helmets and use child car seats, are among the main factors contributing to deaths from road crashes, WHO said in its report on 'Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2010'.

Despite strong laws and regulations, India has been unable to prevent the growing number of accidents on its roads. With around 1,05,000 death deaths annually, the country has overtaken China.

With growing middle class which is encouraged to buy new and latest vehicles, the youth- people aged between 15-29 years - have become the main victims of injuries.

"Over 90% of road traffic deaths and injuries occur in low-income and middle-income countries, which have only 48% of the world's registered vehicles," the report noted.

More disturbingly, a large number of deaths from road accidents are borne by "vulnerable road users" such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Around 13% of the victims from road-related deaths are pedestrians in India as compared to 15% of accidents from passenger cars and taxis and 27% of riders of motorised two-or-three wheelers.

The road traffic crashes, which result in the grief and suffering, contribute to economic losses to victims, their families, and nations as a whole, to the tune of 1-3 per cent of their respective gross national product, the report noted.

"Road traffic crashes are a growing health and development concern affecting all nations," said Dr Margaret China, WHO's director general, suggesting that it is important to have an action plan for an intensified response.

The global plan sets out a detailed programme of action that would call for improving the safety of road and vehicles, enhancing emergency services and building up road safety management.

More importantly, the plan calls on nations to enforce laws for using helmets, seat-belts and child restraints.

It emphasises strict and stern action against the drinking driving and those violating speed limits.

My comment..we could send them our speed cameras!!!!!

SEZ213 · 06-05-2011, 07:20 PM

So, a population of 1.21 billion and deaths of 105,000 equates to one in every 11524 people, or roughly 8.67 deaths per 100,000. If my maths works right, Australia is sitting at 6.8?

From what I've heard there aren't that many traffic lights in India...perhaps they need some of them?

SteveJH · 06-05-2011, 08:12 PM

Highest number, not highest rate. Would be interesting to see which country has the highest *rate* of both accidents and road fatalities.

Because the title of that article says accidents then the article talks about deaths.

Badly worded.

Road_Warrior · 06-05-2011, 08:38 PM

Not surprising given that no one wears motorcycle helmets and built in crash safety in cars over there is probably non-existent.

In China one year I remember the national road toll was like 70,000 but a huge proportion of those were from peasants killed while scavenging for recyclable material on the sides of roads and highways.

vztrt · 06-05-2011, 08:44 PM

Being driven down the congestion of the highways down there and some of the moves that happens by drivers its actually surprising its not a lot more.

Also the roads are very poor, but they are driving faster now then previously.
While new highways are getting your average speed is about 50-60kph.

What's worse is that not that many people are driving over there in comparison to the population. It will get interesting as the country becomes more wealthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Not surprising given that no one wears motorcycle helmets and built in crash safety in cars over there is probably non-existent.

Actually the law is the driver must wear a helmet(anyone else doesn't have to)...there's no rule on quality. The only exception to this rule is if they are wearing a turban, then they are exempt.

Road_Warrior · 06-05-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

The only exception to this rule is if they are wearing a turban, then they are exempt.

So basically everyone then

vztrt · 06-05-2011, 09:02 PM

Here's a photo took, can't remember the name of the country town but it was about 70km from Pakistan. These are school children BTW.

2011G6E · 06-05-2011, 09:32 PM

This is only a surprise to anyone who has never done any basic arithmatic...

Probably using the same reasoning that authorities use here when they are "shocked" that the road toll suddenly rises during holiday periods when all of a sudden you probably double the number of drivers on the road...

BHDOGS · 07-05-2011, 12:02 AM

thats the std stop is it according to that poll?

Yellow_Festiva · 07-05-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Here's a photo took, can't remember the name of the country town but it was about 70km from Pakistan. These are school children BTW.

Lol... while backpacking through Pakistan 2 years ago I did that in Karachi....

Indian drivers... well what can I say.... where 3, 4 and 5 are not unusual on a 150cc scooter. It's ordered chaos on the roads there.

While there last year I spent a lot of time going city to city by bus. I lost count of the amount of accidents I saw involving cars and mostly bikes. They don't do much to cover the scene either. Saw some pools of blood, broken 'helmets' (hollow plastic shells bought for $1) and ... well you would rather not know.