PNG Commemorates World Health Day – 7th April 2004

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Papua New Guinea is among the top three leading countries in the developing world that have the highest recorded number of deaths caused by road accidents.

This was revealed during the World Health Day last Wednesday by the Road Safety Council and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representatives in the country.

The day coincided with the launching of the National Road Safety Rules – the first of its kind in the country since the country gained its Independence in 1975 – with the theme “Road Safety Is No Accident.”

Students holding on to the banner after the march

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Responsible bodies of the PNG society such as the National Road Safety Council, the Police, the Department of Transport, Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited joined the Department of Health to commemorate the World Health Day.

Over 200 people including students and the police band who participated in the morning march, gathered at the Tabari Place in Boroko, Port Moresby to mark the day.

The crowd at Tabari Place, Boroko

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The cost of accidents have been estimated to K72 million in 1992, and in 1997 K150 million and K198 million in 1999.

The number dropped recently from K198 million to K193 million following the establishment of the Road Safety Council.

The above was according to calculations and the latest accident statistics collected by the PNG National Road Safety Council (NRSC).

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Speaking during the launching program, Executive Director for National Road Safety Council, John Siola said since its establishment the council was tasked to develop, promote and to minimize the cost of accidents.

“In 2002 the number of accidents has dropped significantly as we recorded 3 deaths in 38 accidents,” Mr. Siola said.

Mr John Siola addressing the crowd during the World Health Day

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Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) stressed the cost of accidents in the country had numbered to K10 million which is excluding additional costs, such as injuries and hospital fees. These are in build costs that MVIL does not acknowledge.

However all the speakers point out that citizens traveling on the vehicle responsible for their own safety.

“We cannot achieve a case of no accident but we will try to minimize it. Road traffic injuries can be prevented and their consequences can be alleviated if drivers, passengers and pedestrians follow road safety measures and traffic rules.”

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It is recorded that 3,500 to 4,000 road accidents in Papua New Guinea in 2002. In National Capital alone about 1500 road accident occurred, 1,000 people injured and 200 died in 2002.

Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Mr Don Polye launched the National Road Safety Rules prepared by the NRSC saying that every driver must adhere to the rules stated in the book.

He said everything to do with road traffic is stated in the book. And should anyone break these rules they will be held responsible.

Minister Don Polye launches the National Road Safety Rules

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It is estimated that road crashes killed more than one million people and injured about 20 to 50 million more around the world in the year 2002. Millions were hospitalized for days, weeks or months and 5 million disabled for life.

The main causes for Road Traffic Crashes and injuries in PNG are:

• Driving in appropriate and excessive speed
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
• Non-use of set-belts or crash helmets
• Poor eye sight and traveling in darkness
• Disobedience of traffic signs and rules
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Defective road design, layout and maintenance
• Random crossing of roads by pedestrians
• Lack of enough rest/sleep or fatigue (Highway and PMV Drivers)
• Over loading of vehicles

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A victim of Road Accident (1972) Speer Larisa giving his testimony of the car accident which left him disable for the rest of his life

CLICK HERE to see more pictures taken during the World Health Day