Citation

Mtonga R. Proc. Road Saf. Four Continents Conf. 2005; 13: 1p.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Conference Sponsor)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Zambia is a highly indebted poor developing country with a Gross Domestic Product of just around US$330 according to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Because of lack of locally done evidence-based research on Road Traffic injury prevention and mitigation, Zambia employs strategies modeled on research and experience from the north or western world in preventing and mitigating Road Traffic injuries. These interventions do not often fit the indigenous situation as they tend to rely on advanced technology and practices that are alien to countries in the south such as Zambia. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to all accidents at Lusaka s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) between 1999 and 2002. Of admissions due to all accidents 17.2% were due to RTAs, with the death toll from RTAs standing at 30.4% of all accidents reported at UTH during the period understudy. During the same period 7099 or 1.85% of the total hospital admissions and 466 or 0.92% of hospital deaths due to all causes were attributable to RTAs underscoring the magnitude of the RTA burden. It is certain that the cost associated with preventing and mitigating RTAs and attendant social and mental trauma are considerably huge. A clear case can be made out that the status quo needs to be challenged with a view to stemming the tide. Encouraging and commissioning of local research and promulgating of appropriate, homegrown solutions be done to inform policy and evaluate current interventions and best practice seeing that experiences from the north may not work in the south for a myriad of reasons including lack of resources and entrenched traditions.