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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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Road Safety- An Accident for the Developing World
- Azra S Hasan, Shah A Khan (1 October 2005)
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Taking action makes a difference
- Min-Huei Hsu, Yu-Chuan Li. Wen-Ta Chiu (3 October 2005)
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The perilous weekend roads after dusk (in Southern African region)
- Dr. Rajesh Chauhan, Sandeepa Chauhan, Shruti Chauhan, Shivendra Pratap Singh Chauhan. (9 October 2005)
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Road safety in Africa: focus on simple measures
- Abdu S Opaluwa (10 December 2005)
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Azra S Hasan, Senior Resident Department of Microbiology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi-110029,India, Shah A Khan
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We read with interest your article, Road Safety in Africa. The authors have tried to simplify a complex problem.Living in a developing country, we too feel the same issues regarding road safety, both as a doctor and as a regular 'road user' (as a driver and as a pedestrian). I would like to emphasise that road safety is directly proportional to the literacy status of a community. It is unfortunate that both Asian and African developing governments use same sets of universal legislations regarding road safety as those of the west. Therefore it would be highly inappropriate to set speed limits similar to those in west, for rural Indian roads where more than half the road traffic is comprised of "biological transport vehicles" like bullock carts, horse carts and bicycles. Its funny to see complex road signs and english language signboards being used in India, a country with only 63% literacy rate. Besides, the differences in perception of road safety and its implications are very varied between both urban and rural populations in the third world countries. In our view a more appropriate action towards Road Safety in developing countries would be target population oriented studies to evaluate the influence of different socio-economic factors on road accidents and means to prevent these. Population education on road safety using local means and language would be the most appropriate measure towards achieving the goal of safe roads in developing countries. Competing interests: None declared |
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Min-Huei Hsu, Consultant Neurosurgeon Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, No. 111, Sec. 3, Shinglung Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan 116, Yu-Chuan Li. Wen-Ta Chiu
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Taiwan was one of the developing countries with high road traffic injury mortality a dacade ago. The mortality rate of traffic accidents was kept at 7,500 people per year from 1990 to 1995 in Taiwan. It has dropped significantly from about 7,500 in 1995 to 4,300 in 2003, or a 42.7% decrease in 9 years. Various reasons led to this phenomenon in Taiwan and the most significant factor would be the vigorous governmental traffic safety related policies and campaign including: Competing interests: None declared |
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Dr. Rajesh Chauhan, Consultant, Family Medicine & Communicable Diseases. 309/9 A.V. Colony, Sikandra, Agra – 282007. India., Sandeepa Chauhan, Shruti Chauhan, Shivendra Pratap Singh Chauhan.
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If one were to look deeply into the statistical figures of vehicular accidents in Southern African region, weekends would surpass all other days. The weekend mood per se can be risky, and if laced with beer in the circulation, it makes a deadly combination for the roads after dusk, of the high-speed vehicular traffic in Southern African region. More or less everyone knows about it and is usual for everyone to suggest and convince others to avoid travel by road after dusk during weekends. It is not necessary for everyone involved to be at fault. An error, rashness or poor judgment by one driver can be serious, with devastating results. Chances of a vehicle being hit from the rear, unexpectedly, are equally high. Police can help in restricting over-speeding vehicles and drunken driving. Manufacturers in turn can help by installing sensors in vehicles to check and prevent collision and to make their vehicles safer still if involved in collision. Conscientious travelers must carry a few bandages and disposable gloves in their boot. Rather than letting apprehension prevail in view of the HIV scare, use of disposable gloves will be of help and it should be insisted upon while helping and rescuing patients involved in a vehicular accident. The bandages would be of help and can also save life, which may otherwise be lost owing to exsanguinations. Some drastic regulations like early closing down of bars and levying a weekend tax on beer and other alcoholic drinks during weekends, thereby making them slightly more prohibitive, would probably help by restricting the ‘normal’ intake. However, these drastic ideas would be resisted vehemently from being enforced or even to be considered in the first place. Therefore best is to avoid travel after dusk during weekends, unless an absolute must. With regards. Competing interests: None declared |
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Abdu S Opaluwa, Staff Grade General Surgery The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gayton Road Kings Lynn PE30 4ET
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Road safety in Africa: focus on simple measures I agree with Khayesi et al [1] that road safety in Africa must be addressed in the context of the myriad of problems plaguing the continent. In Nigeria, traffic congestion in some cities and the economic downturn has led to increased utilization of motorcycles for commercial purposes. Riders particularly exploit the ability to filter through traffic to advantage, at times, with disastrous consequences. Night travels are popular mostly amongst traders despite the inherent risks associated with it. The night trips help them to ‘gain’ time in the day for their business activities. Overhead footbridges have been taken over by petty traders hawking goods making them impassable. Drivers of vehicles hardly accord pedestrians the right of way they deserve at pedestrian crossings. While in high-income countries improved vehicle designs to reduce the impact of injuries to pedestrians are being developed, dilapidated and rickety vehicles with emissions that are hazardous to the people and the environment abound on the roads in most parts of Nigeria. To an extent, some recent developments in some countries signal a positive response to the growing problem of road traffic crashes in Africa. In Nigeria for instance, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) which was established in 1988 regularly undertakes road safety campaigns against drink driving in motor parks and through the print and electronic media. This activity is usually intensified during festivities. The compulsory use of seatbelts was introduced in 2003. However, its benefit in public transportation is limited by overcrowding of vehicles. In some states in Nigeria, the use of crash helmets has been introduced. White road markings are now being made on some federal roads by an agency in charge of maintenance of federal roads. These measures though belated and far from ideal should be applauded. There is the need to undertake studies to validate the effect of some of these interventions. Greater partnership and collaboration between the various agencies involved in road safety is important to achieve this. In the light of their meagre resources, African countries need to focus on simple measures and avoid duplication of functions by various agencies in order to achieve road safety. Education of all road users to recognize the right of pedestrians to the road at designated pedestrian crossings is extremely important. The wearing of brightly coloured cloths and reflective materials by motorcyclists and their pillion passengers to make them more obvious should be encouraged. There is the need for legislation against the local fabrication of additional pillion seats on motorcycles. There is also the need for road safety messages to convey the impact of the loss of dear ones to the families and friends of the victims. A change of attitude by all road users as well as sustained efforts, persuasion and greater political will are needed to tackle road safety in Africa. Thank you. Yours faithfully Abdu S Opaluwa References 1. Khayesi M, Peden M. Road safety in Africa. BMJ 2005; 331:710-1. (1 October 2005) Competing interests: None declared |
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