Road safety in the Eastern Mediterranean Region -findings from the Global Road Safety Status Report

ABSTRACT

A secondary data analysis using the Global Status Report on Road Safety [GSRRS] was carried out to assess the epidemiology of road traffic injuries [RTIs] and preventive strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR]. EMR countries ranked equal first in the world for the highest number of fatalities due to RTIs [32.2 per 100 000 population]. The region had about 4% of the world's vehicles with 0.097 registered vehicles per person. The number of injured cases in EMR was 210.1 per 100 000 population. Only 15% of EMR countries had a funded, independent, multisectoral body for road safety. Only 25% had mandatory seat-belt laws for both front-seat and rear-seat passengers, 60% had mandatory helmet laws for both drivers and passengers of motorized two-wheelers and 10% had child restraint laws. Road safety in EMR countries needs more attention and consideration