Citation

Petrucelli E. ITE J. 1991; 61(7): 15-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is noted that in motorized countries, injuries from road traffic crashes represent a major public health problem. The situation is becoming apparent in developing countries as well. Exposure measures to help in comparing data from different situations are discussed. Also, fundamental to any global comparison is an understanding of the limitations of the data. The inadequacies of data collection systems are noted. To improve the traffic injury problem on a global scale, four priorities must be addressed: the academic presence and credibility of traffic injury control as a specialized field must be established; equal effort must be given to preventing nonfatal injuries as to reducing fatalities; injuries from traffic crashes must be accepted as a public health problem; and there must be a political will to address the traffic injury problem as a health issue. A set of 5 strategies are proposed for use in developing countries where the traffic safety issue is not yet entrenched in bureaucracy. Comments are made on the institutional framework to address the problem.