Road death and injury represent a serious public health problem in most countries of the world.
They are the leading cause of death and acquired disability of young people, particularly young men, under the age of 45 – the very people whose contributions are greatly needed by their countries.
The costs of road crashes – borne by affected families and the whole society – are enormous.

Statistics are annual figures, but of course the grief and loss of bereavement are long lasting, often permanent, as are the pain, suffering and loss of those seriously injured.
The fact that road crashes and those affected by them are treated so dismissively, in comparison with victims of other disasters, is a source of additional upset and grief for road crash victims.