Burundi Eco – Road safety: a persistent problem – 2024-09-09 19:25:06 – 2024-09-09 19:25:08 – 2024-09-09 19:25:14 – 2024-09-09 19:27:11 – 2024-09-09 19:29:00 – 2024-09-09 19:30:17 – 2024-09-09 19:32:18 – 2024-09-09 19:34:22

Road safety is a persistent global crisis. In line with the publication of articles on the general states of transport, Burundi Eco addresses, in this issue 625, the multi-sectoral management of road safety and the role of government auxiliaries. This follows issue 623, in which Burundi Eco returned to the creation of transport corridors

According to Mr. Apara Kingson Khan, a transport expert, the number of road accident deaths in the country has been steadily increasing for the past two decades. He estimates that the country records 2,315 deaths per year, resulting in an economic loss of USD 343 million, which is 11.6% of the GDP. Mr. Apara Kingson Khan informs that 55% of the road accident victims are vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

A global crisis

The transport expert testifies that road safety is a persistent global crisis. He points out that globally, 1.19 million people die each year in road accidents, and up to 50 million people are injured.

“Road traffic is a major public health problem. More people die in road accidents than from HIV/AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis,” he laments. He adds that road mortality is the leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 5 to 29.

Mr. Apara Kingson Khan points out that 92% of road deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. He says road crashes cost the economies of these countries the equivalent of 2-6% of their GDP each year. Furthermore, the global plan predicts 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries worldwide in the decade 2021-2030 unless bold and decisive action is taken.

Problematic behaviors

Dr. Désiré Habonimana of the Burundi Red Cross (CRB) deplores that in the event of an accident, witnesses take photos instead of providing assistance. He also notes that many individuals simply watch.

Dr Habonimana discusses the challenges encountered during rescue operations, with few hospitals equipped to handle the seriously injured due to their limited trauma skills. He also notes that the injured sometimes refuse evacuation to care facilities due to the cost of treatment.

In addition, road users (transporters) and the surrounding population are often unaware of the actions that can save lives in the event of an accident. Dr Habonimana also points out that public transport vehicles do not have first aid kits.

“The first aid stations are insufficient, with limited equipment (first aid kits, etc.) while access to accident sites is difficult due to the state of the roads. In addition, there is a shortage of ambulances and a recurring shortage of fuel,” he insists.

Dr Habonimana proposes several measures to improve the situation, including road safety education from a young age, training transporters in first aid, integrating first aid training into road construction projects for surrounding populations, knowledge of basic gestures before obtaining a driving license, requiring public transport vehicles and goods to have first aid kits, creating first aid stations along major roads with adequate equipment, improving road conditions, increasing the number of ambulances for emergency interventions, and providing a strategic stock of fuel to the CRB emergency services.

Hopes for the future

2030. Apara Kingson Khan discusses the UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299, which declared the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. The resolution aims to reduce the number of road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during this period.

A global plan outlines the actions needed to achieve this goal and calls on governments and partners to adopt an integrated safety system approach that encompasses safety pillars such as safe roads, shoulders, vehicles, users and speeds.