Get Drivers in Developing Countries to Slow Down

"There are 1.2 million of people who die annually from road traffic deaths. And that is only the deaths," says Dr. Adnan Hyder, director of the International Injury Research Unit in the Department of International Health. Johns Hopkins Magazine posed the following question to 100 researchers from the Bloomberg School of Public Health: If you had a million dollars for health, what would be the best way to spend it? Among the many admirable-and cost effective-interventions, including vaccinations for young children, micronutrients for mothers and newborns, tobacco taxes and bed nets, we find get[ing] drivers in developing countries to slow down.

"Worldwide, the single leading cause of serious injuries is traffic crashes. Especially on the roads and highways of developing nations, vehicular crashes have become a major public health issue. The biggest problems are alcohol and speed, especially the later. And what's more is that most of these injuries could be avoided if speed and drink-driving laws were enforced," says Dr. Hyder, who is now leading the School's effort on Michael Bloomberg's $125 million Global Road Safety Program in ten countries.

Dr. Adnan Hyder suggests spending the money on speed control - speed bumps, at less than $10 per disability adjusted life year averted, are on example of a cost effective intervention, along with random alcohol testing, wearing helmets and seatbelts.

For more information please see The Buck Goes Here at Johns Hopkins Magazine.