Reduction of pedestrian death rates: a missed global target

Abstract

Background: The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety aimed to reduce road traffic deaths by half by year 2020. We aimed to study risk factors affecting global pedestrian death rates overtime, and whether the defined target of its reduction by WHO has been achieved. Methods: The studied variables were retrieved from the WHO Global Status Reports on Road Safety published over 2010-2018. These covered years 2007-2016 and included the estimated road traffic death rates per 100,000 population, policies to promote walking and cycling, enforcement levels of national speed limits, the gross national income per capita and the vehicle/person ratio in each country. A mixed linear model was performed to define the factors affecting the change of pedestrian death rates overtime. Results: Global pedestrian mortality decreased by 28% over 10 years. This was significant between years 2007 and 2010 (p = 0.034), between years 2013 and 2016 (p = 0.002) but not between 2010 and 2013 (p = 0.06). Factors that reduced pedestrian death rates included time (p < 0.0001), GNI (p < 0.0001), and vehicle/person ratio (p < 0.0001). There was a significant drop overtime in both the middle-income, and high-income countries (p < 0.0001, Friedman test), but not in the low-income countries (p = 0.35, Friedman test). Conclusions: Global pedestrian mortality has dropped by 28% over a recent decade, which is less than the 50% targeted reduction. This was mainly driven by improved GNI and using more vehicles. The economical gap between poor and rich countries has a major impact on pedestrian death rates.

Trauma system developments reduce mortality in hospitalized trauma patients in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates, despite increased severity of injury

“…The percentage of patients who were brought to the Emergency Department by ambulance increased from 33.5 to 37.8% (p < 0.0001). During the first period, patients who arrived at the Emergency Department had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (mean (SD) 133.1 (21.7) mmHg compared with 135 (31.7) mmHg, p < 0.0001), had more tachycardia (mean (SD) 90.3 (18.7) mmHg compared with 89.4 (20) beat per minute, p = 0.002), and lower GCS (mean (SD) 14.34 (2.48) compared with 14.74 (1.44), p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, the ISS and NISS were significantly higher in the second period (median (range) NISS 4 (1-75) compared with 6 (1-75), p < 0.0001) (Fig.…”

“…Trauma is a major cause of death in developing countries globally [20]. We think that the experience of developing a trauma system in Al-Ain City is unique and important.…”

Street Trees for Bicyclists, Pedestrians, and Vehicle Drivers: A Systematic Multimodal Review

“…This is partially predicated on the recognition that people worldwide are gravitating toward cities, and that streets constitute some 80% of the urban public realm [2]. Yet, many urban streets have been designed primarily for motor vehicles, and while global pedestrian mortality from vehicle collisions dropped 28% between 2007-2016, this is still well below the World Health Organization's 50% targeted reduction [3]. As such, municipal leaders and urban designers are promoting street access, safety, and mobility for all users [4].…”

Investigation of Perceived Risk Encountered by Electric Vehicle Drivers in Distinct Contexts

“…Fatalities and injuries caused by road accidents shattered lives and plunge communities into despair (WHO 2020). The reason for such incidence could be driver's ignorance, pedestrian mistakes, driver's fatigue, vehicle brake fault, and many more [12][13][14][15]. Human causes have been calculated to be the single or leading contributing factor in nearly 90% of traffic incidents [16,17].…”