A future without road deaths can be made possible with right tech

Despite tech’s advances, road deaths persist. The World Health Organization reports over 1.19 million annual road crashes (about 3,700 deaths/day), with half of them involving vulnerable users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).

A common measure of road safety is the number of fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants. Some countries have cracked the code by reducing fatalities to 1-3 per 100k inhabitants. As per WHO, in Norway, the figure stands at 1.50, at 1.60 in Dubai, and rising to 2.10 in Sweden. Other countries are well behind, registering more than 35 fatalities/100k inhabitants.

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Regionally, GCC countries have prioritized road safety, with Dubai aiming for a ‘zero fatalities’ vision.

What should governments do? Go back to the basics by considering an approach across four (obvious) dimensions: infrastructure, regulations, education and awareness, and enforcement and response. And underpinned by technology advancements.

Making road infrastructure safer

Poorly designed or maintained roads and lack of technology integration are often root causes of crashes. Governments can consider:

‘Scare’ the driver

Regulations ensure safe roads, vehicles, and drivers:

Shaping driver behavior

Speeding, distracted driving, and failure to follow traffic regulations are often the result of a lack of awareness or a careless attitude toward safety. Governments should integrate road safety into school curricula, promote safety campaigns with influencers, and encourage a shift to public transport.

Enforcement and response – Don’t let it slide

Effective enforcement deters dangerous behavior:

A future without road deaths

The current situation on road safety is concerning, but progress is possible; the solution requires a multi-faceted approach across safety frameworks. Progress is possible, as some countries have reduced fatalities significantly.