WHO concerned by ‘motorcycle epidemic’ deaths, injuries

[j_avonni]

WHO concerned by ‘motorcycle epidemic’ deaths, injuries

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 07:26pm (Mla time) 04/21/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The World Health Organization is considering deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents as a "public health epidemic" in many countries in Asia, including in the Philippines.

People belonging to low- and medium-income families use motorcycles as a family vehicle, often to fetch children from school, the WHO said in a report.

Those from affluent families, especially teenagers, use expensive motorcycles to show off to their friends, WHO Healthy Settings and Environment regional adviser Hisashi Ogawa also told the Inquirer.

The WHO is joining the United Nations in the observance of the first Global Road Safety Week starting Sunday. It is focused on the theme "youth and road safety."

In its report, the WHO said nearly 1.2 million persons die of road traffic accidents every year, of which 40 percent are under the age of 25. Between 20 million and 50 million are injured every year.

"Young motorcyclists make up a significant percentage of injuries and fatalities among road users in many Asian countries. Factors such as speed, no helmets, risk-taking behavior, and drunk-driving contribute to the rising trend," the report said.

To solve this, Ogawa said there was a need not only for infrastructure development, but also for behavioral change.

He said that it would help if motorcycles and bicycles would be provided separate lanes, instead of motorcyclists fighting for space with cars, trucks, and buses, exposing them to danger. Humps on the road to slow them down would also help, he said.

But people should also be encouraged to strictly obey traffic rules and road safety precautions.

There are sufficient traffic laws to ensure road safety, but just like in other countries, these are not being enforced strictly in the Philippines, Ogawa said.

"Many low-income countries do not have good control over traffic rules. People in these areas ignore traffic rules. They are not wearing helmets, not putting on their seat belts," Ogawa said.

There are those putting on helmets when on board motorcycles, but they do not fasten the chin strap properly. "So during crash, the helmet is thrown away," Ogawa said.

Children should also be made to wear helmets when on board motorcycles with their parents. "But these helmets should match their sizes, otherwise they would just end up being thrown away," he added.

The WHO reported that "most motorcycle deaths are a result of head injuries. While wearing a helmet correctly can cut the risk of death by almost 40 percent...many countries do not strictly enforce laws covering the use of helmets," he pointed out.

The WHO report said that light-colored helmets help reduce the risk of accidents because they are easier to see, even at night.

The WHO said that young men were more likely to figure in road accidents than young women: "Males account for 75 percent of all road traffic fatalities among those under 25 years of age. Young males under the age of 25 are almost three times as likely to be killed as female counterparts."

The WHO added that those from poor families are at a greater risk of being killed or injured in a road accident.

An Asian Development Bank report on road safety in the Philippines posted on its website said that pedestrians were most at risk of being killed or injured in a road accident. Motorcyclists were a far second, but the report said they were a "growing concern" as the number of motorcycles has been growing by 40 percent per year in the last three years.

[Syuryuken]

Napakarami kasing biker ang walang disiplina at mayayabang. Yung iba kahit kasama ang pamilya nakikipaghabulan pa, overtake sa kaliwa, overtake sa kanan, singit ng singit.

[Blackraven]

The most common is many still don't wear helmets.

I thought this was a given (and mostly common sense-driven) pero it seems talagang walang paki sila. I mean, magkano ba ang mga motorcycle helmets ngayon??? If it's for a few thousand pesos, then it should be a no issue considering that this is a primary safety object.

What's more important:
A few thousand pesos for buying helmet(s) or your life???

Kudos to those who wear helmets and know & fully-understand its importance.

[boybi]

When buying helmets for bicycles nga, when checking the prices of helmets, you will be asked by the salesman: "Sir, how much is your head worth?" :bwahaha:

[LexTer]

gaya nga ng nasabi ko sa isang tread. sa mura ng motorsiklo e kahit yung di naman sanay mag motor e nag mo-motor na. ni hindi alam kung pano mag motor sa highway. nakalimutan na din yata na dalawa lang gulong ng sasakyan nila. sila man ang mabangga or makabangga e sigurado sila din masasaktan.

[utk505]

tama lang yan sa matitigas ang ulo at walang disiplina para mabawasan tao dito sa pinas , kawawa naman ang madadamay

[ryan]

I know its hard but personally, our correct attitude should be turuan naten mga ignorante sa proper driving and motorcycle safety instead of wishing na mamatay nalang silang lahat.

As a rider myself, I can see that most people think they are riding safely but actually they aren't. Aside from the usual no-helmet or helmet on their arms or noo, regarding safety gears, I've also seen/read about these in the last few days...

1) Wearing a back/kidney protector but with shorts and slippers
2) Wearing really cheap gloves found in hardware stores or sidewalks and even feeling proud of it
3) Wearing tinted helmets visors at night
4) Payabangan who has the cheapest helmet

etc. etc...*sigh*

[gearspeed]

Yung nakasabay ko nung April 22 sa Sucat road.Galing siyang SM Sucat.Walang helmet at naka shorts lang.Bumirit siya dun sa sucat rd pero nung meron nasa harap ko na blue Galant na biglang nag right turn at hindi pa nagsignal.Nandun na sa third lane yung naka XRM at ang bilis ng takbo ayun biglang preno.Sakto sabay tingin yung mga nakatambay dun sa naka motor.Muntik na yung naka motor na yun.

[oldblue]

back/kidney protector? mayroon na ganito device for motorcyclists?

galing ah

[jasprit]

sir yan yata yng parang bag na malaki salikod corect me if I'm wrong ksi ang kidney posteriorly located. Not sure though.