Message from Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative In China

Message from Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative In China

April 19, 2007

ROAD SAFETY WEEK - 23 - 29 APRIL 2007
 
    BEIJING, April 19 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The first
United Nations Global Road Safety Week is an important
reminder that traffic injuries are no accident and that
much can be done to prevent the damage occurring on roads.

    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/20061102095006-51.jpg )

    Traffic injuries are a major cause of death in China,
where there is an explosion in the use of vehicles.  There
are around 34 million cars on the road, growing each year
by 12 per cent.  

    Official statistics report more than 100,000 deaths and
500,000 injuries on China's roads each year, with roughly
one death every five minutes.   

    The burden of injury falls disproportionately on the
young.  Lack of awareness and experience means that young
people are more likely to engage in dangerous behaviour
such as speeding, driving without a seatbelt or a helmet,
and drink driving.

    Road safety measures such as using seatbelts and
helmets save lives.

    The Chinese Government recognizes the importance of
road safety and there is growing political will for more
strategies to prevent injury on China's roads.

    As well as many activities as part of Global Road
Safety Week, China will host a National Conference on Road
Traffic Injuries later this year.  A national report and
national action plan for injury prevention in China that
includes traffic injuries are also near completion.  

    China's next challenge is to introduce national road
safety measures and enforce them so they are effective. 
China needs to enforce penalties for people who speed,
break road rules, drink-drive or drive without seatbelts.

    China is committed to preventing road injury and should
be congratulating for embracing Global Road Safety week to
promote life-saving measures.

    More information on China's Road Safety Week activities
is available at 
http://www.who.int/roadsafety/week/activities/national/chn/en/index.html
.


    For more information, please contact:

     Joanna Brent
     Communications Team Leader
     WHO China
     Tel: [phone] ext 646 or [phone]