Rural Transport Overview – Achievements and Challenges

It is estimated that 1.2 million people die every year in road accidents and around 20 to 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries. Currently these accidents are the number one cause of death among young people (17-29 years old) and the 9th cause of death in the world. According to predictions from the World Health Organization, by 2030, if nothing is done, they will become the 5th most important cause of death. Economists have tried to calculate the cost of road traffic accidents, most of them agree that it reaches 518 billion dollars per year, between 1% and 3% of the national GNP. The principal causes of road fatalities are speeding, alcohol, the lack of a helmet, seat belt use and child restrains.