Last update:
   15-Nov-2008
 

Arch Hellen Med, 2008, 25(Supplement 1):11-18

REVIEW

Message 1: “Be a safe driver”
Message 2: “Âe a safe road user”

M. SEGUI-GOMEZ,1,2 F.J. LOPEZ-VALDES,1 A. TSIRIGOTI,3A. NTINAPOGIAS3
1European Center for Injury Prevention, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School, University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain
2Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US
3Center for Research and Prevention of Injuries (CEREPRI), Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Athens University Medical School

Road traffic accidents constitute the first cause of unintentional injury death in the European Union (EU). In EU-25, an estimated 43,000 people die every year due to motor vehicle crashes. Nevertheless, road traffic injuries can be prevented and their consequences can be alleviated if the appropriate practices, policies, strategies and road safety regulations are adopted. This paper aims: (a) to describe the magnitude and the socio-economic burden of road traffic injuries in the countries of the EU, (b) to outline underlying risk factors and, (c) to present evidence based preventive practices that reduce the likelihood of road traffic injuries occurrence. Some of these measures are therefore included in the European Code Against Injuries (ECAI) aiming to raise public awareness regarding injury prevention.

Key words: Drivers, Ĺuropean Code Against Injuries, Pedestrians, Prevention, Road safety, Road traffic injuries, Vulnerable road users.

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