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The Important of the Road Safety Program

Saturday, 19 February, 2022

Fact

 

Nearly 1.3 million people die on the road globally every year, an average of 22,000 people die in Indonesia every year, since 2010.

Based on global data released by the WHO and the Worldbank, 70% of road accident victims were of productive age between 18-55 years.

This condition is also applicable in Indonesia, according to the statistical and death toll data, the victims who died were in the productive age between 18-55 years, estimated around 70% of total victims.

The above data was extracted from the Police and Statistics Department of Transportation recorded accidents, including downloadable data from the Central Statistics Agency's website.

The above condition has lasted more than 10 years, with a total death toll of more than 250,000 people, and it cannot only be done by repairing roads infrastructure. Therefore, it is necessary to take concrete action that could reach all people, both vehicle users, and passengers of public road transport.

 

Vehicle Population in Indonesia

 

After looking at the statistical data on fatalities, we also need to look at the vehicle population in Indonesia.

Currently, the vehicle population in Indonesia has reached 140 million vehicles (a combination of all types of vehicles; motorcycles, cars, trucks, and buses).

With more than 50% of the population of motorized vehicles located on the island of Java. So that the frequency of traffic accidents on the island of Java is getting higher compared to other islands in Indonesia.

Another fact is that the average number of traffic accidents per year is 110,000 incidents.

 

The Importance of Road Safety

 

The World Bank, several studies have shown that any countries that do not invest in road safety programs have lost the opportunity to add 7 – 22% of GDP (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/01/09/road-deaths-and-injuries-hold-back-economic-growth-in-developing-countries)

Apart from being economically viable, bad road safety management has a great impact on the logistics and the flowless of fast-moving goods and increases the logistic cost. More worst, if the traffic accident occurred and blocked the road for hours.  

In the end, no matter how good the vehicle is, it will not save the driver and other traffic users.

 

A price to pay

 

What is the actual price to be paid to the family of the victim for a life that died in a traffic accident? In the "Risk Management" standard, life is priceless.

Following are major losses that must be borne if a traffic accident takes a toll:

1. Loss of opportunity to support a family

2. Loss of family opportunity for a family gathering

3. Loss of opportunities for children to grow and make dreams come true

4. Loss of opportunity to do good and worship.

This value is beyond the insurance price, a value of lives lost due to fatal traffic accidents.

Do we still need more of the death toll > 20,000 to make all parties realize the importance of the road safety program?