Alcohol and road traffic injuries in South Asia: challenges for prevention

Among the one million people killed on the roads during 2000, nearly 75% died in developing countries of the world, about half of them in Asia. A selective examination of RTIs in the region indicate that they constitute the second or third leading cause of death in the 5-44 years age group. The increase in direct and indirect health risk associated with alcohol usage has been well-documented in recent years. Alcohol is a major risk factor for RTIs as it impairs judgment and increases the possibility of involvement in other high risk behaviours (e.g., speeding, violating traffic rules, etc.). Precise information on the involvement of alcohol in RTIs and deaths is clearly not available from South Asian countries. With the recognition that road safety needs to focus on reducing drinking and driving, many high-income countries have formulated and implemented a number of coordinated, integrated and sustainable programmes based on scientific research. Considering the gravity of the situation, ongoing efforts to reduce the problem and lessons learnt from high-income countries, it is important to change strategies and mechanisms to reduce drink driving in South Asia.