Strategy to improve road safety in developing countries.
OBJECTIVE
To review the road safety situation in developed and developing countries compared with the Arabian Gulf countries and suggest a strategy to improve it. The role of road engineers in reducing accidents is highlighted.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of road traffic accidents (RTAS) for a period from 1988 to 1998 in Arabian Gulf Countries. The data was taken from the Directorate of Traffic and Ministry of Health records in Gulf Countries. Additional data was obtained from other sources including the World Health Organizations Statistics Annuals, International Road Federation, Transport Road Research Laboratory and accident facts publications. Overall fatality and injury rates of RTAs were calculated.


RESULTS
The lack of reliable data is a serious problem in most of the developing countries. It is quite reasonable to assume that the incidence of accidents is much larger than actually reported. A comparison of vehicle ownership levels and safety parameters in both developed and developing countries is presented to highlight the relative seriousness of the road safety situation in different countries. The fatality rates (per population and per vehicles) are selected for comparison purposes from developed and developing countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Road traffic accidents continue to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the Arabian Gulf Countries leading to substantial wastage of life and national resources. Further investigation is essential and will require close inter-sectoral collaboration between, traffic police, health, law, and transport authorities. Developing a research strategy for prevention will reduce casualties and death on the road.
Bener
Abdulbari
A
Department of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. abener@hmc.org.qa
Abu-Zidan
Fikri M
FM
Bensiali
Abdel K
AK
Al-Mulla
Ahmad A
AA
Jadaan
Khair S
KS
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D017146:Models, Organizational; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control