Accident that could have been avoided

Road accidents are top killer of youngsters globally – this has been confirmed by a global study of causes of death in the 10-24 age group * now. The study was Published by Lancet on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) and National Health and Medical Research Council.

Here are some highlights of this report (related to road accidents):

• Road accidents the No.1 cause of death among young people around the world
• Traffic mishaps account for 14% of male and 5% of female deaths (for people below 24 years)
• The other major causes of death are violence and suicide
• HIV Aids is at 6th rank in causes of death
• More than 90% of these deaths are in third world

What this study reveals that present global priorities for adolescent health policy, which focus on HIV/AIDS and maternal mortality, are an important but insufficient response to prevent mortality in an age-group in which more than two in five deaths are due to intentional and unintentional injuries.

WHO indicated that road accidents could be prevented through

• Speed management, like measures to create low-speed zones in urban areas,
• Setting speed limits according to road type,
• Strictly enforcing drink-driving laws that limit blood alcohol concentration
• increasing wearing of good quality helmets and use of seat-belts.

* Source The Lancet Journal (the article is available for download free of charges)