This report reflects the Bloomberg Global Road Safety Program progress from 2010 through 2012. According to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, only 28 countries have comprehensive road safety laws that address all five WHO key risk factors: drinking and driving, speeding, motorcycle helmet use, seat-belt usage, and child restraint device usage. These 28 countries cover only seven percent of the world population. The report, which was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, states that there were 1.24 million deaths worldwide from road traffic crashes in 2010, roughly the same number as in 2007. If the number of deaths from road traffic crashes is to be substantially reduced, the pace of legislative change worldwide needs to increase rapidly. "The Global status report on road safety 2013 serves as a strong warning to governments that more needs to be done to protect all those who use the roads," says Michael R. Bloomberg, philanthropist and Mayor of New York City. "Road traffic fatalities and injuries are preventable. This report is an important next step in the effort to also keep pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safe on the world's roads. It demonstrates that progress is being made, but we still have a long way to go." (Author/publisher)
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