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
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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.
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