• WHO says 1.3m people die globally every year
One person has on Sunday died, and three others injured after an alleged drunk driver swerves on to a pedestrian bridge on Ladipo/Shogunle road in Oshodi area of Lagos.
According to bystanders, the dead victim is the driver of the bus, who was allegedly intoxicated by alcohol.
Sadly, this death and three injured is among the statistic the World Health Organisation (WHO) released recently, which shows that 1.3m people die from road crashes every year.
The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus made this disclosure during the live stream global commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
According to Ghebreyesus, millions of people have faced serious injuries and long-lasting consequences from the physical and psychological trauma as a result of road traffic crashes.
“These figures are not just numbers, they are fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, and sons. It is also said that most of the tragedies are avoidable,” he stressed.
He emphasised that WHO and other partners were collecting data towards the second decade of action for road safety, which would be launched in 2021
Ghebreyesus added that the collection of data is to ensure that gaps in addressing the road traffic crashes are closed.
The DG further encouraged everyone to support those who suffer long-lasting consequences from the physical and psychological trauma they have endured and act towards preventing more crashes.
He urged governments and partners, “The best way to honour those who died through road traffic crashes is for government and partners to fulfill their commitment to making our roads safer.”
