Preventing road traffic injury : a public health perspective for Europe

Abstract

Road traffic injuries in the WHO European Region represent a major public health problem. About 127 thousand people are killed and about 2.4 million injured every year. The cost of road traffic injuries to society is an estimated 2% of a country's gross domestic product. About one third of the victims are aged 15-29 years. Nevertheless, effective preventive strategies exist and need to be applied through multisectoral approaches, and the health sector has a unique role to play. This publication has been prepared for World Health Day 2004 to raise awareness among the general public and enhance commitment among policy-makers to take immediate action towards preventing road traffic injury. The publication builds on and complements the World report on road traffic injury prevention, analysing in depth the burden of disease from road traffic injury in the European Region, framing the issue in the context of sustainable mobility, presenting a comprehensive systems approach to road safety based on successful experiences developed by some Member States in the Region and highlighting opportunities for the health sector to play a broader role. The publication calls for a multisectoral and evidence-based approach to preventing road traffic injuries, with public health playing an important role, emphasizes the importance of a strong political commitment at all levels of government and makes recommendations for action