Citation

Mohan D. J. Traffic Med. 1989; 17(3-4): 1-2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article summarises some of the differences in modal split and accident patterns between developing and developed countries, in order to emphasize that the safety measures taken to reduce accidents in the western world may not be relevant to developing countries and vice versa. The major differences are as follows: (a) the majority of traffic fatalities in developing countries are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists; (b) trucks and buses are involved in a very high proportion of crashes in developing countries, whereas, in developed countries most crashes involve cars; (c) there is a much larger variety of vehicles travelling at a higher variety of speeds; and (d) in developed countries, much road traffic is routed onto limited access motorways. This is not so in developing countries. Other differences, include the need for trees along the roads to provide shade for non motorized traffic, and adequate food, water, and repair shops, along the routes both of which can be considered a nuisance for vehicle drivers. Difficulties in law enforcement may also mean that methods used to increase safety in the west, may not be applicable.