• UGI USER
  • Dec 14, 2023
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WHO REPORT ON ROAD FATALITIES

Why in the News?

WHO report highlights Rising Road Fatalities in India Despite Global Decline.

Source: The Hindu

 Global Overview and Success Stories (2010-2021):

  • Worldwide road traffic deaths decreased by 5% annually, totaling 1.19 million.
  • 108 UN member countries reported a decline, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Ten countries achieved a reduction of over 50% in road traffic deaths, including Belarus, Denmark, and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Thirty-five countries made notable progress, achieving a decrease of 30% to 50%.

Alarming Surge in India (2010-2021):

  • India witnessed a contrasting trend with a 15% increase in road fatalities.
  • The total number of road traffic deaths in India rose from 1.34 lakh in 2010 to 1.54 lakh in 2021, as per the ‘Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023.’

Concerns and Regional Disparities:

  • Road crashes were the leading cause of deaths among children and youth aged five to 29 years.
  • In the past decade, a 5% reduction in absolute numbers of road traffic fatalities occurred alongside a 13% growth in the global population.
  • Regional disparities show 28% of global road traffic deaths in the WHO’s South-East Asia Region, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for 90% of fatalities despite having only 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.

Disproportionate Impact in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:

  • Nine out of 10 deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Fatality rates in these countries were three times higher than in high-income countries, despite low-income countries having only 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.

Impact of Vehicle Growth (2010-2021):

  • The global motor vehicle fleet grew by 160% during the same period.
  • Annual fatality rates per 1 lakh vehicles declined from 79 deaths to 47 deaths, representing a 41% reduction.

Regional Distribution of Road Traffic Deaths:

  • The WHO’s South-East Asia Region accounted for 28% of global road traffic deaths.
  • Western Pacific Region: 25%, African Region: 19%, Region of the Americas: 12%, Eastern Mediterranean Region: 11%, and European Region: 5%.