Road traffic crashes are among the world’s largest public health issues

• Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for people ages 15-45 worldwide, resulting in 1.3 million deaths per year

Road traffic crashes are robbing communities and developing countries of their future – the young generation

• Globally, more than 40% of all road traffic deaths occur among the 0 to 25 age group
• 85% of traffic fatalities and 96% of child traffic fatalities occur in low- or middle-income countries

Road traffic crashes place extreme financial strain on developing economies

• For many low- and middle-income countries, the cost of road crashes represents between 1-2% of GNP
• In some cases exceeds the total amount they receive in international development aid
• Many road traffic crash victims are the primary income generators for their family. The injury or death of these victims negatively impact the standard of living for their entire family

Please see the WHO World Report on Traffic Injury Prevention for more information on the global burden of traffic fatalities and injuries.

Road traffic crashes are predictable and can be prevented

People who survive the initial crash frequently suffer brain damage that impedes their ability to continue as an income generator for their families, and in fact may require a lifetime of personal care that can drain resources from already impoverished families. Helmet use makes a difference.  Appropriate helmet use reduces the risk of fatality by an average of 42% and of severe head injury by 69%.

A recent case study of motorcycle accidents from Los Angeles and Thailand similarly found that that un-helmeted riders were two to three times as likely to be killed and three times as likely to suffer a ‘disastrous outcome’. Of survivable crashes, universal helmet use would have prevented about 80% of fatalities and brain injuries.