Road traffic injuries constitute a major public health problem. They cause an estimated 1,171,000 deaths annually and many more cases of disability. They happen to people from all economic groups but more often to the poor. When injured, the poor also have less chance of survival and full recovery. Historically, road traffic injuries have been neglected because injuries have been seen as accidents or random events. Now, injuries are known to be preventable. Seat belts, child car seats, motorcycle helmets, designated drivers, traffic calming, etc. have all proved effective at preventing these types of injury. Most traffic-related injury prevention efforts have been in the wealthier countries. Yet, other countries have higher rates of death and permanent disability resulting from collisions. In these countries, there is an urgent need for strategies that are appropriate, cost-efficient and effective. "Appropriate" means taking into account the complexities of the problem and the availability of resources in any particular country and, also, what has been shown to work elsewhere. To develop these strategies, most countries need better information. They need to know more about the numbers and types of injuries and about the circumstances in which injuries occur. This information will indicate just how serious the injury problem is and where, exactly, prevention measures are most urgently needed. Countries need greater commitment to prevention. Provided there is adequate political will, millions of lives could be saved in the coming years. To assist, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Injuries and Violence Prevention Department has collaborated with agencies and public health experts from all continents to develop a five-year strategy to prevent road traffic injuries. This document was prepared at a Consultation Meeting to Develop a 5-year Strategy for Road Traffic Injury Prevention, held on the 26-27 April 2001 at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
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