Preventing Drink Driving in Africa | Page 18

THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ON ROAD CRASHES 92% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries High Income Middle Income Low income 12% 8% 20.1 1% 18.3 47% 8.7 80% Deaths 52% Vehicles road traffic deaths per 100,000 population Source: World Health Organisation 2013, Global status report on road safety 2013: supporting a decade of action Of the total number of road traffic deaths every year, 92% occur in low- and middle-income countries, according to the WHO Global status report on road safety 2013: supporting a decade of action. Alcohol is a factor in 33% to 69% of the fatal crashes in these countries. In addition, road traffic injuries in low- and middle-income countries result in financial costs of an estimated US $100 billion per year. In the last two decades, projected road traffic fatalities in low- and middle-income countries have increased significantly, heightening the need for real action: Projected Road Fatalities (Low and Middle Income Countries) Necessary functions of a system approach to road safety include: • Promotion • Results focused approach • Monitoring and evaluation • Coordination • Research and development and knowledge transfer • Legislation • Funding and resource allocation Key Principles of Successful Programmes • Strong political commitment to prevent drink driving • Strong and well-publicized enforcement campaigns • Public education to change attitudes toward • Clearly defined legislation for BAC level drinking and driving and penalties for offences • Strict and swift enforcement • Implementing “good practice” East Asia & Pacific South Asia Alcohol Effects on Driving There is an impact on: • Reaction times • Driver vigilance • Driver visual acuity Sub-Saharan African Latin America & Caribbean 2015 Middle East & North Africa 2030 0 200000 400000 • Steering efficiency • Risk of complications in injury rehabilitation Although highly motorised countries have been able to reduce drink driving, successful programmes may not always be directly applicable to other countries because: • Style and quality of roads can differ • Cultural beliefs differ from country to country • Education levels vary and communications modes differ • Traffic mix is often very different Europe & Central Asia 600000 Source: World Health Organisation 2013, Projections of Mortality and Causes of Death 2015 and 2030 18 This reality is complicated by the fact that in many low- and middle-income countries, data on alcohol-related road traffic deaths are unavailable or unreliable. There are also differences in BAC limits, clear definitions of what constitutes drinking and driving, and efficacy of enforcement efforts. This makes comparison not possible or not meaningful. With that said, key principles of successful programmes can be applied. “Good practice” interventions have been proven to contribute to reductions in alcohol-related crashes. We invite you to view the related workshop presentation. 19