Red Cross report cites traffic accidents

The International Red Cross today released its 1998 world disaster report… and one highlight of the document is something that those of us who watch and deliver the news know all too well: automobile accidents are killing more and more people each year. According to the report, the trend is so pronounced that by the year 2020 it is estimated that road crashes will be the world’s third largest cause of death and disability, ahead of such traditional enemies such as T.B. and AIDS. Particularly vulnerable are less developed countries like Belize where death rates are higher due to inadequate medical facilities, poor road conditions, lack of proper vehicle maintenance and virtually non-existent enforcement of traffic laws.