Reducing the toll of road traffic accidents is an indicator of the efficiency of governments, says Nasser Zakeri, an economist, in an article for the Persian daily Shargh.
A translation of the text follows:
Over centuries, one of the manifestations of effective statecraft was the promotion of road safety. With the weakening of the central government, bandits would ambush the caravans and loot their belongings. Therefore, the first move of any new ruler was to try to restore safety to the route of commercial caravans and citizens.
At present, with the help of modern technology, it is not impossible or difficult for governments to establish safety in the most remote places.
However, another form of unsafety threatens the life and belongings of citizens; the risk of road accidents and the resulting loss of life and capital is no less than the damage caused by bandits. Therefore, curtailing the losses of road accidents can be an indicator of the efficiency of governments.
Remarks made about the quality of domestically produced cars by Iran’s traffic police chief a few days ago is a testament to the inefficiency of the country’s automobile industry.
Causes of High Road Fatalities
The number of annual road fatalities in Iran stands at 200 per one million people, which is significantly higher than the world average of 160. In fact, such a sorry state is the outcome of the following:
• Iran’s road network needs to be repaired to have the minimum quality. The correction of accident-prone areas requires a sizable budget. Over the past years, the government has not been able to spend money in proportion to the needs.
• The quality of cars is not satisfactory and this results in a sharp increase in the number of accidents and casualties. The police chief wondered whether explosives were planted inside Iranian cars.
• Relief services given to victims of accidents can be effective only when sufficient facilities are provided. Does the rescue network have adequate facilities such as a helicopter to minimize the time needed to reach the accident scene? Are there decent hospital facilities for the quick treatment of accident victims?
• Citizens’ traffic behavior and their compliance are of utmost importance. With a quick look at the status quo, we have to admit that the compliance of many drivers to traffic rules and regulations is unsatisfactory, and this behavior gives rise to fatal accidents. We will be able to identify the roots of such behavioral patterns by analyzing the economic, social, educational and even political factors.
Reducing Road Casualties
Reducing road casualties is an important and valuable goal that requires the allocation of a generous budget over many years. Government officials also need to revise their budget allocation model; after all what is more important than saving the lives of citizens?
An expert analysis should be carried out about the consequences of this chronic negligence toward the health of citizens. A realistic estimate should be made on the annual financial and human losses inflicted by traffic accidents, in addition to the emotional trauma caused to survivors and the disintegration of families resulting from these accidents.
The alarming figure of 17,000 deaths per year suggests that more than 50,000 families are involved with the consequences of these accidents. Isn’t it important for statesmen to reduce the pain and suffering of fellow Iranians and prevent accidents with tenacity via overhauling the budgeting procedure?
The country’s auto industry has been slammed for many years, but seemingly all these criticisms have failed to bring about any change.
In 1965, Ralph Nader, a Lebanese-American attorney and social activist, managed to challenge the American automobile industry. His efforts led to car manufacturers supplying much better products than before.
Automakers did feel hostile toward him, but the outcome of his efforts was not necessarily to the detriment of automakers because not only consumers gained access to safer cars, but automakers also made more profits, while the American economy thrived.
Domestic car manufacturers should no longer remain indifferent toward fulfill their corporate responsibility and help reduce the loss of life and money caused by accidents.
