We need safer roads

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7444.0-c

BMJ 2004;328 (10 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7444.0-c

We need safer roads

Road crashes account for a high proportion of injuries and deaths,and making roads safer still presents challenges. Breen (p 888)argues that important measures to improve road safety are oftenopposed by groups with minority interests, and health professionalscan act as a powerful lobby for change. Lower speed limits inresidential areas, car designs that are safer for pedestriansand cyclists, and random breath testing for alcohol all needstronger promotion, say the authors. Without solid action theforecast looks bleak, particularly in low income countries.