Road Safety And its Impact on the Economy
Road Safety
And its Impact on the
Economy
Road Accident Statistics
More than 1.2 million
people are killed
in Road Accidents,
worldwide , every year.
3 to 4 % of Gross National Product
Is lost in Road Accidents.
Road Accident Statistics
One child is killed in
Road Accidents,
every three minutes
in the World.
Road Accident Statistics
Total worldwide death toll of
Tsunami of 2004 was about 230,000.
But, the annual death toll of
Road Accidents is 1,200,000 !!!
i.e. more than
five times the Tsunami toll.
Worldwide toll of road accidents:
( Statistics by World Bank & WHO )
1.2 million people killed each year
i.e. around 3,000 deaths daily,
500 of them children .
50 million people are injured
in road crashes each year,
15 million seriously.
Road Safety and its Impact on
the Economy
Fiji
Road Accident Statistics
Road Accident
Road Accidents and Economic Cost
Total Annual economic loss to Fiji
due to road accidents is more than
($300-500 Million Dollars)
Road Safety and Its Impact on the
Economy
How long does it take to become a
Doctor?
High School
University
Training
Experience
Further training
Road Accidents and Economic Cost
Or an experienced Teacher, Engineer,
Businessman, Nurse, Farmer,etc
This can be lost in 1 second.
An Australian Example
Senator Button
Plan
A Bi-partisan Senate inquiry in 1984
Revised in 1988, 1990 and onwards.
Reduce Road Deaths
Looked at every aspect of the motor
vehicle industry
All stakeholders were consulted-
NRMA/AA, Road Authorities, Motor
Industry,University Research
Public,Consumer Soc.
Metal Fatigue
Reduce the average age of vehicles
on Australian roads
Metal deteriorates from the time it is
manufactured due to oxidization
process.
You can slow it but not stop it
FINDINGS
It found that the Australian public was
being denied the latest
environmental and safety
technologies due to high tarrifs and
protecting inefficient
assemblers/manufacturers
Delay in addressing this was costing
Australian Economy $millions
Review Action Fix black spots -Dual Carrige Roadways, 3x3
Lower Import Duty on new vehicles over 10yr
Set minimum safety standard-ADR
Airbags, ABS, baby seats/anchor points,
Avoid road damage by using Correct axle
loading on trucks
Fuel Specifications – cleaner air, right vehicle
type
Repair Workshop Industry-Grade Workshops
Reduce pressure on Health Services
Result
New vehicle sales from 400,000pa to 1million
per year.
3 efficient local manufacturers, rest closed
Duty from 57.5% to 5%.
Low sulfur diesel 50pp from 5000pp
Petrol- 91,95,bio fuel etc enviroment friendly
Right equipment for road haulage, container
cartage, Bus safety,
Right equipment/method for vehicle repair
Axle Loading
Result
Ambulance Service with right equipment
Respiratory improvements-asthma/productivity
Low sulfur diesel 5000pp from 50pp
Cleaner Petrol- 91,95,bio fuel etc
Right equipment for road haulage, container
cartage, Bus safety, Safety Equipment
Right equipment/method for vehicle repair
Pedestrian Crossings
Well lite-up roads
Result
Economic benefits meant
saving Lifes
Saving Fuel
Light weight bodies
Vehicle safety
Pedestrian safety
Efficient Roading systems
Result
Road Deaths – 3000pa to 500pa.
Population from 16m to 22m, 8 regions
Safety is affordable by all.
Average age of vehicles from 13yrs to
6yrs.
Road Safety and Its Impact on
Fiji
Road Safety Suggestions
Reduce average age Age restriction, lower duty on trucks, write-off
old vehicles,
We are happy to retire our people…..
……..but not our vehicles!
Road Safety Suggestions
Nite visibility Pedestrian with bright clothes, Road well lite
Make safety affordable lower duty on small cars, need 2.0l
Fix Black spots road construction, quick
Ban Used Tyre Imports Silent Killer
PSV must have a retirement age Bus, Trucks, Minivans, Rental Cars
Clean Air
Fuel standard – improve Unleaded to 95 Ron and
Diesel to 50ppm Sulphur,
so new technology engines can be imported.
Airconditoner- Driver Fatigue
This will improve emission standards
- respiratory problems, healthy productive
society
Driver Fatigue
Overworked, noisy cabin, polluted
air, rough uneven roads
Airconditoner- hot humid environment
,
Road Safety Suggestions
Fiji should set FDR standards for
vehicles, where all vehicles comply to
minimum safety standards ;
Fuel Systems
Side Impact Beam,
Collision test ratings
ABS Brakes, Air Bags,
etc,etc
Road Safety Suggestions
Time is of the essence
We need to ship things fast, we need
quick deliveries of food, medicines,relief
Roads need to wide, straight
Engineered to travel fast
Vehicles are already capable
Road Safety Suggestions
Roads needs to properly and regularly
upgraded. With proper engineering plan.
e.g. A new road is upgraded, Minister opens, a week
later, Telecom/FEA/ WAF will dig the same road up .
Once roads are dug, they loss the viscosity of tarseal.
IMPACT
If we can save 50% of road accident
deaths per year, at least $200 million
should be taken as savings to the
economy.
But this can only be achieved with good
roads, safety education, new technology
safe vehicles, less polluting fuels,etc.
Road Safety
Leads to………
THANK YOU
Healthy Productive Economy