Why Road Safety is a National Priority?
The government’s investment in road safety has paid off in many ways. Developing countries such as India and China have shown that the effort pays off in the form of fewer traffic fatalities and higher vehicle insurance premiums. Moreover, countries like the Netherlands and Canada have also shown that investing in road safety pays off. So, why shouldn’t we invest in road safety? Read on to learn why. We should invest in road safety for the benefit of our children and future generations.
Investing in road safety pays off
Research indicates that investing in road safety programs saves taxpayers billions of dollars every year. The federal government can increase funding for traffic safety programs by as much as 10 percent and invest that money where it is needed most. This increase in federal funding would provide $56.9 million in savings every year and reduce the number of fatalities on American roads by 250,000. In addition, every $1 invested in road safety programs would generate $122 in savings for society. The Rand study also provides a number of scenarios for how to spend federal funds on safety programs. Among other things, it shows that universal motorcycle helmet laws can save 745 lives and prevent another 200,000 injuries every year.
The United Nations has a goal of halving road deaths by 2030. This goal is reflected in the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, which was launched in September this year and runs until September 2020. The second decade is focused on financing and other elements of the road safety program. As part of this initiative, the international community affirmed its commitment to improving road safety. In addition to improving road infrastructure and reducing traffic fatalities, the United Nations is also pledging additional funding to address road safety.
Investing in road safety pays off in developing countries
Investment in road safety is a good investment, with the potential to prevent the death of two million children and 12 million serious injuries every year. In fact, investments in road safety could increase national income by up to 50 times. According to the FIA Foundation, investing in road safety would have a three to five-fold return if implemented in 77 developing countries. This figure is higher than what is commonly expected.
Political instability in Africa makes it difficult to create institutions and allocate resources to addressing road safety. In Uganda, for instance, only $0.09 per capita is spent on road safety. This indicates that the allocation of resources for road safety in Africa is extremely low. Despite these limitations, however, road safety is a priority for African countries. By investing in road safety, African countries can achieve a halving of road traffic fatalities.
Investing in road safety pays off in Canada
The Canadian government has committed to investing $3.2 million in road safety initiatives. Road accidents are a leading cause of death and serious injury worldwide. Over the past decade, the country has made significant strides in road safety. In 2009, a third of the fatalities and severe injuries on the roads were caused by motor vehicle crashes. The decrease in fatalities and injuries was attributed in part to the economic downturn. In fact, the social cost of road crashes is measured in the tens of billions of dollars.
In recent years, more highways are being twinned (opposing lanes separated by a median and barriers) and additional lanes are being constructed to increase traffic flow. These improvements decrease the risk of head-on collisions, minimize traffic congestion, and help minimize driver frustration. Furthermore, these improvements reduce severe collisions by as much as 29 percent. By investing in road safety programs, the Canadian government has a clear path to a safer and more prosperous future.
Information from: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/desjardins-invests-3-2m-to-help-keep-canadians-safe-on-the-road-849496295.html
Investing in road safety pays off in the Netherlands
Investing in road safety is an important investment. Netherlands’ road fatality rate is about a third lower than that of the U.S., and this is due to a combination of improvements in infrastructure and policies. The Netherlands has made significant strides to improve its road system, including investing in separated cycle tracks, better vehicles, and distracted driving. The Netherlands has also implemented several other changes to control automobile speed, including the design of the roads.
The country recently introduced a National Traffic Safety Educational Program to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries. Investing in road safety is a proven strategy for reducing injuries and fatalities in any country. The Netherlands also has one of the highest levels of road safety in the world, according to UNECE’s data. Investments in road safety can increase a country’s GDP by between seven to 22 percent, and in the Netherlands, this is the case for all of Europe.
