This report presents the status of road safety in the WHO European Region and provides a baseline assessment of how far 49 countries have come in implementing the recommendations of the World report on road traffic injury prevention. In the Region, road crashes result annually in 120 000 deaths, 2.4 million injuries and a great economic burden, which may be up to 3% of a country’s gross domestic product. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people 5—29 years old. Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and users of motorized two-wheelers constitute 39% of all road traffic injury fatalities, with pedestrians being more at risk in the eastern part of the Region. Countries differ greatly in mortality rates for road traffic injuries; the average in low- and middle-income countries is twice that in high-income countries. Countries’ policy responses in providing road safety for their citizens have differed. This report proposes the following areas of action: narrow the gap between countries with the lowest and highest mortality rates; provide better protection for vulnerable road users; develop a well-resourced multisectoral road safety strategy in each country; design and enforce comprehensive legislation; and develop and implement healthier transport policies. In addition, country profiles on the current status of road safety are presented for the 49 participating countries. (Author/publisher)
Abstract