Worldwide, about 1.3 million lives are lost in road accidents, making it the 9th leading killer and the most notorious murderer of the young. Another 20 to 50 non-fatal injuries add to that significantly high number. If you work as ambulatory nurse, you well know how often you need to respond to emergency calls, and you well know how grave the road cases are. Perhaps, every set of your medical scrubs have memories of these emergency responses, and you normally see the faces of the victims every time you step into the ambulance to respond to another call.
The price that has to be paid on faulty road infrastructures, loose road safety regulations, and non-stringent implementation of laws is high. Many times, they cost lives. Monetary cost of road injuries is also enormous. Global status report estimated $518 billion each year is being poured for medical road traffic related injuries. In the U.S., although there has been a significant decline of road mortality since 1978, road injuries suck hard on the people with the soaring health care cost and loss of jobs.
For the first time, the international community has set eye on the road safety issue, in a global scale. Countries around the world created a Global Plan that can immediately be implemented. The plan aims to improve safety or roads and vehicles, enhance emergency services, and build up road safety management. Basic preventative measures such as the use of helmets, seat-belts and child restraints need to also make significant improvements. Enforcement of laws against drunk driving and over speeding must be stricter. Vulnerable groups such as the pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists need to also be given their due safety by the use of bicycle and foot paths, and motorcycles lanes. In other countries, laws regarding stray animals need to be implemented as well for they also contribute significant number of road accidents and deaths.
In order for the Global Plan to become reality, enormous amount of fund is needed. Monetary support from different sectors of the society is necessary. $125 million has already been committed by NY City Mayor Michael Blomberg. Automotive sectors opt-out $2 per car they sell would bring in about $140 million annually.