Road safety in the Western Pacific

Approximately 328 000 people are killed each year in the Western Pacific Region as a result of a road traffic crash. Millions more suffer non-fatal injuries including lifelong disability. Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to victims, their families and to nations. Losses arise from the cost of treatment and reduced or lost productivity.

Road traffic injuries and deaths are largely preventable by developing and implementing national road safety programmes. Examples include social marketing and comprehensive legislation and enforcement for five major behavioural risk factors: speed, helmets, drink driving, seatbelts and child restraints.