Road accidents are the biggest cause of death in South Africa among children between the ages of four and 15, and a national plan of action is needed to combat this ”epidemic”, Western Cape provincial minister of health Piet Meyer said on Tuesday.
In a speech prepared for delivery in Stellenbosch, on the eve of World Health Day, he said on average two children die every day on the country’s roads.
The World Health Day theme for 2004 is road safety.
”Road traffic accidents are considered one of the most neglected health risks in the world. More than 20-million people are severely injured or killed on the world’s roads each year.”
Meyer said 90% of these people are from developing countries.
”Africa, which only houses one-10th of the world’s population … has 50% of the world’s child deaths, [and] clearly still has a major health problem.
”One of the major challenges is to stem the growing tide of vehicle accidents.
”In South Africa, road accidents cause the most deaths among children between four and 15 years. Nearly every day two children die on our roads. Half of these children are younger than eight years.
”About 800 children, all victims of road accidents, are treated at the Red Cross Children’s hospital. About 15% of these children are orthopedic patients.”
In sharp contrast with other epidemics, car crash injuries are largely influenced by decisions and choices made by individuals.
”This means that the problem can be controlled. Vehicles in developing countries are 200 times more lethal than in First World countries. Why?” Meyer asked.
”Much has to do with drivers, their vehicles and the environment. A national plan of action is necessary to combat the increasing epidemic.
”We need more thorough driver training, more regular driver tests, higher roadworthy standards for vehicles and better road infrastructures.
”Accidents are preventable, and interventions can save hundreds of thousands of lives,” Meyer said. — Sapa