Another danger
Coronavirus is doubtlessly a dangerous germ, though some eccentric world leaders are convinced otherwise, and efforts being made, here, to curb its spread, must be redoubled if there emerge signs of the prevailing national health emergency getting on top of us.
The best defence against any crisis is to prepare for the worst-case scenario. When lockdowns are eased, and the stir-crazy Sri Lankans begin to move about freely, the second wave of infections is likely to hit the country. South Korea has had to close liquor bars, nightclubs, etc., on account of a new cluster of coronavirus infections. Germany is struggling to tackle Covid-19 outbreaks at slaughterhouses.
We don’t seem to have an exit strategy, as such, but the country has to be reopened to avert a socio-economic crisis, the signs of which are already visible. It must be ensured that the public abides by the health guidelines, and noncompliance must not be tolerated on any grounds. What we are facing is an unprecedented situation, and it is advisable to cross the river by feeling the stones, as the Chinese say.
The Covid-19 pandemic has so far snuffed out nine lives, in this country, during the last two months or so. The credit for the low Covid-19 fatality rate should go to the health authorities, the armed forces, the police, the political authority, and the citizens, who have acted responsibly. (However, there is no guarantee that there won’t be steep increases in infections and the fatality rate.) Paradoxical as it may sound, the coronavirus contagion saves about eight lives a day; only a few road deaths have been reported since lockdowns and curfews were imposed. People, killed in road accidents, average eight a day; about 450 lives would have been lost in road mishaps, but for Covid-19 and the attendant restrictions on vehicular and pedestrian movements, during the last several weeks. The situation is bound to change when lockdowns are eased and roads get busy.
It is only natural that the coronavirus pandemic has jolted the world into adopting extraordinary measures to save lives, but shouldn’t such an all-out global effort be made to minimise the number of road deaths as well? After all, the Sustainable Development Goals –– 2030 Agenda was launched to halve the total number of deaths and injuries in road traffic crashes, in the world, by 2020. This goal remains far from achieved.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) informs us that about 1.35 million people die, each year, in road traffic accidents, which cost most countries about 3% of their gross domestic product; between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injuries; about 93% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though they have approximately 60% of the world's vehicles, and road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults, aged 5-29 years. This situation is also a global emergency.
According to the National Council for Road Safety, in Sri Lanka, the number of fatal accidents increased from 2,924, in 2017, to 2,949 in 2018. The types of vehicles involved in fatal accidents, in 2018, were as follows: motorcycles (1,277), three-wheelers (365), trucks (344), dual purpose vehicles (318), private buses (237), cars (210), SLTB buses (62) and bicycles (42).
The causes of road accidents have been identified. They are driving under the influence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, nonuse of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints, distracted driving, unsafe road infrastructure, unsafe vehicles, inadequate post-crash care, speeding and inadequate law enforcement of traffic laws. It is time a truly global effort was made to prevent so many lives being lost on roads. Most of these mishaps are preventable.
One can only hope that there won’t be a massive increase in fatal road accidents, here, within the next few weeks.
Coronavirus is doubtlessly a dangerous germ, though some eccentric world leaders are convinced otherwise, and efforts being made, here, to curb its spread, must be redoubled if there emerge signs of the prevailing national health emergency getting on top of us.
The best defence against any crisis is to prepare for the worst-case scenario. When lockdowns are eased, and the stir-crazy Sri Lankans begin to move about freely, the second wave of infections is likely to hit the country. South Korea has had to close liquor bars, nightclubs, etc., on account of a new cluster of coronavirus infections. Germany is struggling to tackle Covid-19 outbreaks at slaughterhouses.
We don’t seem to have an exit strategy, as such, but the country has to be reopened to avert a socio-economic crisis, the signs of which are already visible. It must be ensured that the public abides by the health guidelines, and noncompliance must not be tolerated on any grounds. What we are facing is an unprecedented situation, and it is advisable to cross the river by feeling the stones, as the Chinese say.
The Covid-19 pandemic has so far snuffed out nine lives, in this country, during the last two months or so. The credit for the low Covid-19 fatality rate should go to the health authorities, the armed forces, the police, the political authority, and the citizens, who have acted responsibly. (However, there is no guarantee that there won’t be steep increases in infections and the fatality rate.) Paradoxical as it may sound, the coronavirus contagion saves about eight lives a day; only a few road deaths have been reported since lockdowns and curfews were imposed. People, killed in road accidents, average eight a day; about 450 lives would have been lost in road mishaps, but for Covid-19 and the attendant restrictions on vehicular and pedestrian movements, during the last several weeks. The situation is bound to change when lockdowns are eased and roads get busy.
It is only natural that the coronavirus pandemic has jolted the world into adopting extraordinary measures to save lives, but shouldn’t such an all-out global effort be made to minimise the number of road deaths as well? After all, the Sustainable Development Goals –– 2030 Agenda was launched to halve the total number of deaths and injuries in road traffic crashes, in the world, by 2020. This goal remains far from achieved.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) informs us that about 1.35 million people die, each year, in road traffic accidents, which cost most countries about 3% of their gross domestic product; between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injuries; about 93% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though they have approximately 60% of the world's vehicles, and road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults, aged 5-29 years. This situation is also a global emergency.
According to the National Council for Road Safety, in Sri Lanka, the number of fatal accidents increased from 2,924, in 2017, to 2,949 in 2018. The types of vehicles involved in fatal accidents, in 2018, were as follows: motorcycles (1,277), three-wheelers (365), trucks (344), dual purpose vehicles (318), private buses (237), cars (210), SLTB buses (62) and bicycles (42).
The causes of road accidents have been identified. They are driving under the influence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, nonuse of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints, distracted driving, unsafe road infrastructure, unsafe vehicles, inadequate post-crash care, speeding and inadequate law enforcement of traffic laws. It is time a truly global effort was made to prevent so many lives being lost on roads. Most of these mishaps are preventable.
One can only hope that there won’t be a massive increase in fatal road accidents, here, within the next few weeks.
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