Session 5 - Niranjans - Bob Niranjan

Road Safety

And its Impact on the

Economy

Road Accident Statistics

More than 1.2 million

people are killed

in Road Accidents,

worldwide , every year.

3 to 4 % of Gross National Product

Is lost in Road Accidents.

Road Accident Statistics

One child is killed in

Road Accidents,

every three minutes

in the World.

Road Accident Statistics

Total worldwide death toll of

Tsunami of 2004 was about 230,000.

But, the annual death toll of

Road Accidents is 1,200,000 !!!

i.e. more than

five times the Tsunami toll.

Worldwide toll of road accidents:

( Statistics by World Bank & WHO )

1.2 million people killed each year

i.e. around 3,000 deaths daily,

500 of them children .

50 million people are injured

in road crashes each year,

15 million seriously.

Road Safety and its Impact on

the Economy

Fiji

Road Accident Statistics

Road Accident

Road Accidents and Economic Cost

Total Annual economic loss to Fiji

due to road accidents is more than

($300-500 Million Dollars)

Road Safety and Its Impact on the

Economy

How long does it take to become a

Doctor?

High School

University

Training

Experience

Further training

Road Accidents and Economic Cost

Or an experienced Teacher, Engineer,

Businessman, Nurse, Farmer,etc

This can be lost in 1 second.

An Australian Example

Senator Button

Plan

A Bi-partisan Senate inquiry in 1984

Revised in 1988, 1990 and onwards.

Reduce Road Deaths

Looked at every aspect of the motor

vehicle industry

All stakeholders were consulted-

NRMA/AA, Road Authorities, Motor

Industry,University Research

Public,Consumer Soc.

Metal Fatigue

Reduce the average age of vehicles

on Australian roads

Metal deteriorates from the time it is

manufactured due to oxidization

process.

You can slow it but not stop it

FINDINGS

It found that the Australian public was

being denied the latest

environmental and safety

technologies due to high tarrifs and

protecting inefficient

assemblers/manufacturers

Delay in addressing this was costing

Australian Economy $millions

Review Action Fix black spots -Dual Carrige Roadways, 3x3

Lower Import Duty on new vehicles over 10yr

Set minimum safety standard-ADR

Airbags, ABS, baby seats/anchor points,

Avoid road damage by using Correct axle

loading on trucks

Fuel Specifications – cleaner air, right vehicle

type

Repair Workshop Industry-Grade Workshops

Reduce pressure on Health Services

Result

New vehicle sales from 400,000pa to 1million

per year.

3 efficient local manufacturers, rest closed

Duty from 57.5% to 5%.

Low sulfur diesel 50pp from 5000pp

Petrol- 91,95,bio fuel etc enviroment friendly

Right equipment for road haulage, container

cartage, Bus safety,

Right equipment/method for vehicle repair

Axle Loading

Result

Ambulance Service with right equipment

Respiratory improvements-asthma/productivity

Low sulfur diesel 5000pp from 50pp

Cleaner Petrol- 91,95,bio fuel etc

Right equipment for road haulage, container

cartage, Bus safety, Safety Equipment

Right equipment/method for vehicle repair

Pedestrian Crossings

Well lite-up roads

Result

Economic benefits meant

saving Lifes

Saving Fuel

Light weight bodies

Vehicle safety

Pedestrian safety

Efficient Roading systems

Result

Road Deaths – 3000pa to 500pa.

Population from 16m to 22m, 8 regions

Safety is affordable by all.

Average age of vehicles from 13yrs to

6yrs.

Road Safety and Its Impact on

Fiji

Road Safety Suggestions

Reduce average age Age restriction, lower duty on trucks, write-off

old vehicles,

We are happy to retire our people…..

……..but not our vehicles!

Road Safety Suggestions

Nite visibility Pedestrian with bright clothes, Road well lite

Make safety affordable lower duty on small cars, need 2.0l

Fix Black spots road construction, quick

Ban Used Tyre Imports Silent Killer

PSV must have a retirement age Bus, Trucks, Minivans, Rental Cars

Clean Air

Fuel standard – improve Unleaded to 95 Ron and

Diesel to 50ppm Sulphur,

so new technology engines can be imported.

Airconditoner- Driver Fatigue

This will improve emission standards

- respiratory problems, healthy productive

society

Driver Fatigue

Overworked, noisy cabin, polluted

air, rough uneven roads

Airconditoner- hot humid environment

,

Road Safety Suggestions

Fiji should set FDR standards for

vehicles, where all vehicles comply to

minimum safety standards ;

Fuel Systems

Side Impact Beam,

Collision test ratings

ABS Brakes, Air Bags,

etc,etc

Road Safety Suggestions

Time is of the essence

We need to ship things fast, we need

quick deliveries of food, medicines,relief

Roads need to wide, straight

Engineered to travel fast

Vehicles are already capable

Road Safety Suggestions

Roads needs to properly and regularly

upgraded. With proper engineering plan.

e.g. A new road is upgraded, Minister opens, a week

later, Telecom/FEA/ WAF will dig the same road up .

Once roads are dug, they loss the viscosity of tarseal.

IMPACT

If we can save 50% of road accident

deaths per year, at least $200 million

should be taken as savings to the

economy.

But this can only be achieved with good

roads, safety education, new technology

safe vehicles, less polluting fuels,etc.

Road Safety

Leads to………

THANK YOU

Healthy Productive Economy