Arab countries reel from massive losses due to road crashes

Author: 
SULTAN AL-TAMIMI | ARAB NEWS
Publication Date: 
Mon, 2011-05-30 01:59

“Traffic safety aims at adopting and implementing all the safety procedures concerning traffic. This includes plans and programs, traffic regulations and preventive measures to reduce or prevent the occurrence of traffic accidents, and to ensure safety of humans and that of property,” said Othman Al-Arabi, executive director for the auto service division of Abdul Latif Jameel Co.
From his side, Arab Road Safety Organization Chairman Afef Al-Ferege said: “In different parts of the world, there is a large number of people who suffer from debilitating injuries or lifelong disabilities due to road accidents. In some instances, it is hard for these people to integrate back into society as productive members.”
Al-Ferege added that in the Arab countries, an estimated 40,000 lives are lost annually due to traffic accidents and injuries resulting from them.
“The World Health Organization constantly urges local governments and members of the public to find dynamic solutions to these problems. Throughout the world, fatal road accidents are at the forefront of life loss among youths in the age group of 15-29 years. It is estimated that annually, around 1.3 million people lose lives in road accidents around the world.”
According to Al-Ferege, traffic accidents are responsible for injuring between 20 million and 50 million people around the world annually, and without implementing strong and effective measures in the future, the number of expected casualties resulting from road accidents will be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The number may rise to an estimated 2.4 million deaths a year.
The event was sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Co. and hosted by Saudi Red Crescent Chairman Prince Faisal bin Abdullah Al Saud.

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