Enrich Institute
  • HOME
  • About Us
    • Founder's Message
    • Vision & Mission
    • Advisory Board
    • Internship and Fellowship
    • Partnership
  • Our Work
    • Capacity Building
    • Data & Research
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • SDGs Youth Network
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Global SDGs
    • Cambodia's SDGs
  • Contact Us

An investment in safety

3/26/2013

9 Comments

 
By: Dr Pieter J M Van Maaren

EARLY this month, we were gripped with shock when we read in our morning newspapers of a horrific road crash on National Route 4 in Preah Sihanouk province that left four dead, including the sons of two well-known Khmer comedians. This was certainly a rude wake-up call for all of us. The harsh reality is this: five or six people die every day on Cambodia’s roads, and traffic injuries are the second-biggest cause of deaths in this country after acute respiratory infections. In 2010, according to the National Road Safety Committee’s Road Crash and Victim Information System (RCVIS), there were 1,816 road fatalities and 80 per cent of the victims were male.
Data from the RCVIS indicates there were 1,905 road deaths in 2011, and a provisional figure of 1,894 for 2012 suggests the situation isn’t improving. In 2011, road crashes cost the nation $310 million in property damage, medical costs and related expenses, but the direct cost of traffic casualties can perhaps be best understood in terms of the labour lost to the  economy.

It’s thought that almost all of those injured in road crashes in Cambodia no longer participate in the mainstream economy. This deprives the nation of millions of person-years of labour.

Motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable road users. They account for 67 per cent of traffic fatalities, and 73 per cent of them suffer head injuries.

That number would be greatly reduced if more riders and passengers wore helmets. Only 15 per cent of motorcycle riders involved in crashes were wearing helmets, and 56 per cent of those killed in motorcycle crashes are aged 15 to 29, depriving families of their next generation. This premature loss of qualified, able-bodied men and women from the workforce makes a strong case for reducing road fatalities.

But there’s good news as well. In response to this sombre situation, the National Road Safety Committee has developed the second National Plan for Road Safety 2011-2020, based on a plan developed by the UN to support its Decade of Action for Road Safety, which sets a global target of saving five million lives.

Donors have also come on board. Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding a global road-safety project implemented by the World Health Organisation in 10 countries that collectively account for 48 per cent of the world’s traffic fatalities.

Cambodia is included in this RS10 Project, with the focus here on increasing helmet use and reducing drink-driving.

The solution to Cambodia’s road traffic woes is simple: greater investment in road safety, coupled with stronger regulation and enforcement of traffic laws. Compared with the cost of developing vaccines, for example, the cost of protecting vulnerable road users in the developing world is small. Other than not wearing helmets, the main risk factors for traffic injuries are drinking and driving; speeding; and failure to use seat belts and child restraints.

In Cambodia, speeding is estimated to be responsible for 51 per cent of  road deaths, followed by drink-driving (16 per cent).

The key to reducing road traffic mortality will be ensuring that as many UN member states as possible have in place laws covering all the risk factors.

Nevertheless, a very positive effort is under way in Cambodia.

The Royal Government has proposed numerous changes in the road traffic legislation to address helmet use, driving under the influence of alcohol and other risk factors.

Helmets will become mandatory for both motorcycle riders and passengers, and penalties for offenders will be increased.

To address the issue of low helmet use, the World Health Organisation, with financial support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and in collaboration with the NRSC, have developed and launched a hard-hitting campaign on helmet use aimed at riders and passengers.

The message of the campaign is clear: neglecting to put on a helmet can have dramatic consequences when an accident occurs. The simple, clear message is this: “Wear a helmet, anywhere and any time.”

Cambodia’s blind spot in road-safety enforcement is cracking down on drink-driving, especially on weekend nights, a critical time.

Last October, the NRSC, the Ministry of Information and the World Health Organisation launched a campaign called “If You Drink, Do Not Drive”.

This message aims to increase public awareness, especially among young Cambodians, on the negative consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol — a selfish act that endangers the lives of others.

Breathalysers and other equipment to help traffic police crack down on drinking and driving have been provided by the WHO, and the Global Road Safety Partnership has contributed expert training for police to improve enforcement.

Despite the horror stories about road crashes, there are traffic laws in this country. And a much better traffic law is awaiting approval.

What needs to happen is for that law to be passed and enforced. International support is at hand to develop a traffic-safety model that combines tough enforcement, public education and awareness with transport planning.


About the author: Dr Pieter J M Van Maaren is the World Health Organisation’s representative in Cambodia. The article originally appeared in the Phnom Penh Post on March 21, 2013.
9 Comments
mortgage investors corporation link
8/26/2013 07:15:40 pm

Proper investments can provide financial future

Reply
mortgage investors corporation testimonials link
9/11/2013 05:48:10 am

It is hard to find solution for this problem. It is truth that crashes cost a lot.

Reply
Investment in property link
12/2/2013 03:25:27 pm

i read lots of blogs but honestly speaking i found your blog An investment in safety very interesting and informatics.....keep it up..thank u so much

Reply
college paper writing services link
10/15/2014 05:37:54 pm

Scientists are very respectable person in every country because they work hard and soul for new invention for human development and their comfort.As like as our writing service can comfort your student life to provide you high quality essay and others stuffs.

Reply
college essay writing service link
12/5/2014 12:47:13 am

If you are applying for a top-level course then you will be asked to author an essay on your strengths and weaknesses. It is when you will need college admission essay writing service.

Reply
cash advances link
6/6/2015 05:20:38 am

For a decent life, monetary soundness is basic. For the improvement of any country it is fundamental that people of the country progress. These days, different advance plans are actualized for guaranteeing budgetary soundness of the individuals.

Reply
check cashing san-diego link
6/9/2015 01:34:31 am

There are a few distinct options for customary financing for business people and financial specialists obtaining, restoring, and renegotiating private land. From traditional banks to hard cash credits, knowing your financing needs will help you figure out which credit program, and which private loan specialist, is ideal for you.

Reply
free steam codes link
6/22/2015 03:15:46 pm

you had got such a good link here for steam wallet codes for free from which you can generate free codes with its cheats online for free.

Reply
Tinder Dating Sites link
7/29/2017 06:31:57 am

This Tinder Dating community focuses on expanding the variety of your dating matches and it also adds the perfection of finding you the most compatible partner.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Career
    Children
    City
    Civil Society
    Climate Change
    Corruption
    Dam
    Democracy
    Development
    Economy
    Education
    Energy
    Entrepreneurship
    Environment
    Foreign Relations
    Garment
    Gender
    Government
    Growth
    Health
    Human Rights
    Inequality
    Land
    Law And Policy
    Natural Resources
    Politic
    Poverty
    Private Sector
    Reform
    Regional
    Tourism
    Transport
    UN
    Water
    Women
    Youth

    Archives

    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012

    Disclaimer: All views expressed here belong to their respective author and do not represent the views of Enrich Institute

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • About Us
    • Founder's Message
    • Vision & Mission
    • Advisory Board
    • Internship and Fellowship
    • Partnership
  • Our Work
    • Capacity Building
    • Data & Research
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • SDGs Youth Network
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Global SDGs
    • Cambodia's SDGs
  • Contact Us