World Remembrance Day – South Africans encouraged to show solidarity
Key Facts about global road traffic injuries
Road traffic injuries are the ninth leading cause of death globally and the leading cause of death for people between 15 – 29 years. Key risk factors are attributed to speeding, drunk-driving, the insufficient use of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts and child restraints.
According to the WHO, annual road fatalities number around 1.25 million people. Children, pedestrians, cyclists and older people are among the most vulnerable of road users.
More than 90% of these road traffic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, even though these countries have approximately 54% of the world’s vehicles. Even within high-income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes.
Timely emergency care saves lives and reduces disability, but there is great global disparity in access to emergency care: if fatality rates from severe injury were the same in low and middle-income countries as they are in high-income countries, between 1.5 and 2 million lives could be saved every year.
About World Remembrance Day
In order to create the much-needed awareness around road injuries and fatalities World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims (WRD) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year. WRD remembers the many millions killed, injured and disabled on the world’s roads, and the devastating effect this has on families, friends and communities. Established as an annual day by the UN in 2005, the day also recognises the vital contribution of people in emergency services. It is solemnly commemorated, acknowledging the daily financial, physical and emotional impact of road accidents as a call to avert the carnage on our roads.
“This solemn Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the trauma experienced by road crash victims and their loved ones. This is a significant time for key players in road safety and emergency personal to create awareness of the scale of the consequences of road accidents and its often irreparable damage to victims and their loved ones,” says Eugene Beck, CEO of RoadCover, which assists members involved in an accident to receive 100% pay-out of their RAF claims, without any extra costs to themselves.
SA Road Accident Statistics
According to the AA, road accidents in South Africa claimed the lives of 14 071 in 2016, a 9% increase, from 12 944 deaths recorded in 2015, with over 1 120 more people dying, year-on-year.
In 2016, pedestrians alone accounted for 38% of reported fatalities (5 410 of the 14 071 deaths recorded), motorised vehicle passengers accounted for 33% and motorised vehicle drivers for 26%, with children and pedestrians being the most vulnerable.
In addition to the physical and emotional devastation, the cost of accidents translate to R143 billion or 3.4% of South Africa’s GDP, with costs for human casualty (69.3%), vehicle repairs (14.9%) and incidents and infrastructure cost (15.8).
“It is tragic to witness the traumatic consequences of road accidents, robbing victims of their physical abilities and emotional well-being. Millions of families and loved ones suffer unfathomable distress and grief each year. WRD brings awareness of the stark reality of these facts and figures around accidents,” says Beck.
Grief is exacerbated by the fact that a large percentage of victims are young. In fact, accidents are the leading cause of death among people age 15–29 years and almost 60% of road traffic deaths occur among people aged 15–44 years.
Human contributors to SA accidents
Many of the crashes are preventable with human factors accounting for 77.5% of road crashes and fatalities. The balance is made up of vehicle factors and environmental factors which account for 6% and 16.5%, respectively.
Accidents result from jaywalking pedestrians (38.8%), hit and run crashes (18.5%), high speed (14.1%), overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic (6.9%), driving under the influence (3.6%), and driver fatigue (2.2%).
“Knowing that most accidents are preventable makes all road users responsible to take greater care on the road and use it responsibly,” states Beck. “Accidents may be inevitable, but if we take cognisance of how we can use the road more defensively, we can establish a culture of tolerance and greater protection for all users of the road.
We urge South Africa to take cognisance of World Remembrance Day as an opportunity to rise to the challenge of preventing needless suffering and become accountable for our role in making the road a safer place for all South Africans,” concludes Beck.
Via: RoadCover