Brunei road mishap death rate still high
Friday, March 2, 2007
THE death toll caused by road accidents in Brunei is still considered high compared to other developing countries. Road death figure last year was 32.
"The deaths caused by road traffic accidents were still high compared to other countries such as Singapore, Japan, America, Germany, Britian, Finland and New Zealand," Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abu Bakar Apong said yesterday at the launching of the "Safety Road Campaign".
Among the seven developed countries, New Zealand has the lowest rate of road accident-related deaths 1.4 deaths per 10,000 vehicles. Singapore, Germany, Finland and Britian have 1.8 deaths per 10,000 cars, followed by Japan at 2.8 deaths per 10,000 vehicles.
Although Brunei's number of deaths has decreased compared to the figures from 38 in 2005 to 32 last year, the minister said the sultanate cannot be complacent about the problem.
"Current efforts to increase the level of road safety should continue to further reduce the rate of road accidents," he said.
The "Road Safety Campaign" organised by the Land Transport Department is one of the country's efforts of spreading awareness on road safety.
The campaign is based on four Es, that is, spreading awareness through Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Environment.
"One factor which is equally important is the fifth E which stands for equilibrium meaning cooperation between drivers and road users," said the minister.
"Each driver or road user must follow and observe all traffic safety norms while driving to ensure safety of all concerned," he added.
According to figures from the Land Transport Department, there are currently 170,000 registered and active vehicles in Brunei and about 12,000 applicants for newly-registered cars every year.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.2 million people are killed on roads every year and up to 50 million more are injured. It also states that road casualties increase if proper action is not taken.
If current trends continue, the number of people killed and injured on the world's roads will rise by more than 60per cent between 2000 and 2020. Most of these injuries will occur in developing countries where more and more people are using motorised transport.
The loss and suffering associated with road traffic deaths and injuries are preventable, according to WHO. With firm political will and an integrated approach that addresses vehicles, the people who use roads, and the road infrastructure, roads can be made safer.
The Brunei Times
"The deaths caused by road traffic accidents were still high compared to other countries such as Singapore, Japan, America, Germany, Britian, Finland and New Zealand," Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abu Bakar Apong said yesterday at the launching of the "Safety Road Campaign".
Among the seven developed countries, New Zealand has the lowest rate of road accident-related deaths 1.4 deaths per 10,000 vehicles. Singapore, Germany, Finland and Britian have 1.8 deaths per 10,000 cars, followed by Japan at 2.8 deaths per 10,000 vehicles.
Although Brunei's number of deaths has decreased compared to the figures from 38 in 2005 to 32 last year, the minister said the sultanate cannot be complacent about the problem.
"Current efforts to increase the level of road safety should continue to further reduce the rate of road accidents," he said.
The "Road Safety Campaign" organised by the Land Transport Department is one of the country's efforts of spreading awareness on road safety.
The campaign is based on four Es, that is, spreading awareness through Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Environment.
"One factor which is equally important is the fifth E which stands for equilibrium meaning cooperation between drivers and road users," said the minister.
"Each driver or road user must follow and observe all traffic safety norms while driving to ensure safety of all concerned," he added.
According to figures from the Land Transport Department, there are currently 170,000 registered and active vehicles in Brunei and about 12,000 applicants for newly-registered cars every year.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.2 million people are killed on roads every year and up to 50 million more are injured. It also states that road casualties increase if proper action is not taken.
If current trends continue, the number of people killed and injured on the world's roads will rise by more than 60per cent between 2000 and 2020. Most of these injuries will occur in developing countries where more and more people are using motorised transport.
The loss and suffering associated with road traffic deaths and injuries are preventable, according to WHO. With firm political will and an integrated approach that addresses vehicles, the people who use roads, and the road infrastructure, roads can be made safer.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
