28 November 2014 - By Eugene Herbert - The RAC Group
Hi Folks…
The apparent lack of concern about the high number of fatalities on our roads is brought into stark perspective when one compares this to a subject with even more emotive connotations – terrorism.
While not wanting, in any way to minimize the seriousness of the loss of human life under any circumstances, it is worth comparing figures to see just how deadly road crashes are from a global view.
A "report by the Institute for Economics and Peace says that nearly 18,000 people died from terrorist attacks in 2013." [Source: BBC, at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-30086435].
Meanwhile, the global number of road deaths is still estimated to be around 1.25 to 1.3 million a year with SA contributing in no small way to that total.
Roughly speaking, these figures represent a ratio of at least 70:1 greater chance of being killed in a road crash than in a terrorist attack. In reality we see which of the above dangers inevitably gets more publicity? And of course more resources. While we in SA are not exposed to terrorism we could well reflect on how this would play out.
Till next time - Be safe and take care on the roads.
Eugene Herbert
Group Managing Director
The RAC Group
http://advanceddriving.co.za