By Mohammad Al-Hashash (with photos)
KUWAIT, May 3 (KUNA) -- With Kuwait's relatively small population compared to other states, it would be hard to believe that over the past three years, over 450 people died every year from traffic-related accidents, most of who were youth.
According to the Safety Society for the Prevention of Road Accident, in 2006, deaths from road accidents reached 460, saying that most casualties were the result of human and mechanical errors.
"Kuwait's environment is not suitable for driving," indicated the society, explaining that roadworks distorted orginal street plans and designs and eventually led to accidents.
"Traffic-related deaths in Kuwait are four times more that in industrial states," revealed the society.
The International Road Federation (IRF) affirmed that road deaths cost Kuwait about 1.8 percent of its national production, saying that global death rates reached 1.2 million with injures reaching 50 million, while the cost of these accidents reached USD 65 billion.
The Gulf States began taking measures to decrease the number of accidents, such as preventing the usage of cellphones while driving and implementing the law on those who violated this.
Using seatbelts lowers death rate by 61 percent, according to traffic studies which stressed that educating and informing people on safety regulations would hopefully decrease accidents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also called for laws that would push drivers to use child seats in cars, which would reduce 35 percent of deaths among children involved in car accidents.
