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The report suggested that
drivers with a BAC of be-
tween 0.02 g/dl and 0.05 g/
dl have at least a three times
greater risk of dying in a
vehicle crash. This risk increases
to at least six times with a BAC
between 0.05 g/dl and 0.08
g/dl, and rises exponen-
tially above 0.08 g/dl (31).
Drinking and driving is also
associated with other high-risk
road use behaviours such as
speeding or not using seat belts.
Young and novice drivers are at
a much-increased risk of road
traffic crashes when under the attention has been paid to the needs of pe-
influence of alcohol compared to older Almost half of all destrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who
and more experienced drivers. deaths on the world’s together make up 49 per cent of all global
road traffic deaths.
MULTIFACETED APPROACH roads are among Making the world’s roads safer will not
A multifaceted approach is required those with the be possible unless the needs of these road
for the most effective and long-lasting users are considered in all approaches to
changes to be made to national road least protection — road safety — including the way roads are
safety. Such changes have been achieved built and the way vehicles are manufac-
in a number of high performing coun- motorcyclists, cyclists tured. Making walking and cycling safer
tries that have taken on the Safe System and pedestrians. will also have other positive co-benefits
approach, and have seen reductions in if these non-motorized forms of transport
road traffic deaths and injuries despite Making walking and become more popular, including more
increasing motorization. The challenge cycling safer is critical physical exercise, reduced emissions,
today is for the downward trends in and the health benefits associated with
road traffic deaths seen in these countries to slash such incidents such changes.
to be replicated in other countries like
India. ENFORCEMENT VITAL
Political will is crucial to driving such changes, but this Enforcement is vital to the success of road safety laws. While
report shows that action is particularly necessary on a there is clear evidence that enforcement is critical to the suc-
number of specific issues. Changing cess of laws, the levels of enforcement required for maximum
road user behavior is a key compo- impact are often less readily available and depend on factors
nent of the Safe Systems approach. such as political will, available resources and competing pri-
Setting and enforcing good laws relat- orities at a national level. In countries where legislation has
ing to key behavioural risk factors can not previously been accompanied by enforcement, particu-
be effective at realizing such change. larly visible and high levels of enforcement may be needed to
Although some progress has been persuade the public that breaking the law in future may well
made over the past three years with result in a penalty.
17 countries (representing 5.7 per cent Furthermore, while some countries have dedicated
of the world’s population) improving traffic police, in many countries the cadre of police officers
legislation on key risk factors, many who are in charge of enforcing road safety laws have many
countries lag far behind in terms of other responsibilities, and their focus on traffic law enforce-
making sure their laws are in line with ment can quickly slip down the priority list when faced with
best practice. other pressing concerns, such as national security. Poor
Lack of enforcement frequently un- enforcement of traffic laws and regulations can also result
dermines the potential of road safety from inadequate resources, administrative problems and
laws to reduce injuries and deaths. So- corruption, all of which can restrict good laws in achieving
cial marketing campaigns need to be their potential.
conducted to support and maximize
the effects of enforcement. Insufficient LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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