The WHO has
a new report out details Road Safety worldwide. Per the abstract
The Global status report on road safety 2013 presents information on road safety from 182 countries, accounting for almost 99% of the world’s population. The report indicates that worldwide the total number of road traffic deaths remains unacceptably high at 1.24 million per year. Only 28 countries, covering 7% of the world’s population, have comprehensive road safety laws on five key risk factors: drinking and driving, speeding, and failing to use motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints.
The bit takeaway for me is just the sheer number of victims that are pedestrians and bicyclists ranging from 27% to as high as 75% (!!!). Which is probably also why they address this right up front
in the executive summary
Concerted effort is needed to make road infrastructure safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The needs of these road users must be taken into consideration earlier, when road safety policy, transport planning and land use decisions are made. In particular, governments need to consider how non-motorized forms of transport can be integrated into more sustainable and safer transport systems.
An interactive allowing you to play around with the data is embedded below, but
go here for the fullscreen (real-estate!) version
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