Traffic injuries have a 22% of GDP toll on economy: World Bank survey

A recent World Bank survey, newly published and unique in its kind, measures the impact of road accidents on the developing low-income and middle-income economies, a group where Albania is listed.

The data is somewhat shocking, as it shows a very high economic toll.

The report titled “The High Toll of Traffic Injuries” was compiled on the basis of a new methodology.

For Albania, meanwhile, this report should be seen as an alarm bell by decision-making bodies and law enforcement bodies.

Instat and Eurostat data show that in Albania roads literally kill.

Our country has the third highest rate of road accident deaths on the continent, 94 for 1 million inhabitants.

The European Union average is fixed at 50 victims per 1 million people.

The World Bank study focuses exclusively on road safety, and missed investments in this regard.

In our country, poor road safety is probably the main cause of accidents.

“The many road accidents in Albania are directly linked to the low investment in road maintenance,” underlined the World Bank in another recent study.

The World Bank, in its latest report, concludes that countries that do not invest enough in this regard lose 7% to 22% of potential GDP per capita in a 24-year period.

The policy makers’ action in this regard translates to 1.25 million deaths per year worldwide, a decline in productivity and lower growth rates, says the World Bank.

The rapid growth of revenues in developing countries has led to faster motorization of the societies, but not accompanied by security standards.

The report says that a 10% reduction in road deaths translates into an increase in gross domestic product per capita, by at least 3.6%.

In Albania, meanwhile, almost all governments have made promises, even with concrete figures, regarding road safety investments, but the situation continues to remain alarming not only in the secondary roads but also in the main axes.

SCAN

*Material i përgatitur nga portali SCAN. Ripublikimi mund të bëhet vetëm kundrejt citimit të autorësisë dhe burimit origjinal.