2008 - IRAP - Road Deaths in Developing Countries: The Challenge of Dysfunctional Roads

It is accepted wisdom that the sustainable way to relieve poverty and poor health in developing countries is through stimulating economic growth. However it is also accepted that economic growth in developing countries leads to increased motorisation and increased road deaths. Currently 90% of the world’s 1.2 million road fatalities per annum are in low and middle income countries, and by 2020 the number of road fatalities in these countries is expected to grow by 50%. This is an unacceptable situation by any standards, but the question is can we stop it happening? This paper examines what is known about road deaths in developing countries, shows that road deaths do not rise and fall inevitably with growing income, and examines the contribution that tackling dysfunctional roads can make.