14 May 2017 – The fourth UN Global Road Safety Week and its related campaign “Save Lives: #SlowDown” draw attention to the dangers of speed and the measures which should be put in place to address this leading risk for road traffic deaths and injuries. Studies indicate that typically 40–50% of drivers do not adhere to speed limits. Excessive and inappropriate speed is a key road safety risk factor, contributing to about one third of fatal road traffic crashes in high-income countries and up to half in low-income countries. Road traffic injuries continue to be a grave public health concern regionally and globally.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region accounts for almost 10% of global road traffic deaths and has the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world after WHO’s African Region. The majority of deaths occur among males and the younger and economically active age groups (15–59 years), with serious implications for health and development.
In advance of the fourth UN Global Road Safety Week, 8–14 May 2017, WHO has released a new report entitled: “Managing speed”. The report suggests that excessive or inappropriate speed contributes to 1 in 3 of road traffic fatalities worldwide. The report highlights measures to address speed, prevent road traffic deaths and injuries, make populations healthier, and cities more sustainable.
Evidence has shown that a 5% cut in average speed can result in a 30% reduction in fatal road traffic crashes. It is thus imperative to strengthen efforts for speed management as part of a comprehensive safe system approach to achieve road safety-related goals of the Decade of Action of Road Safety 2011–2020 and the targets of Sustainable Development Goals.
Infographics
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Legislative documents
Strengthening road safety legislation: a toolkit for road safety legislation workshops | Arabic | French
Strengthening road safety legislation: a summary for government decision-makers | Arabic | French
Strengthening road safety legislation: a practice and resource manual for countries | Arabic | French
Documenting road safety: a guide for governments and lead agencies
Strategic action framework to improve access to assistive technology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
