When pondering problems, it's often healthy to look at the bigger picture.

My problem is the road safety situation in Bermuda and I was recently afforded a global perspective when I attended the 6th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Control in Montreal, Canada.

The bottom line is that road traffic injuries are fast becoming one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world.

Let me elaborate.

Worldwide, more than five million people die as a result of injuries every year and 25 percent of these are road traffic injuries.

Furthermore, for every person that dies, several thousands more sustain injuries that result in life-long disabilities.

In the high-income countries of the Americas, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death in people aged 15-44.

Disease or injury places a burden on communities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) measures this burden in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY'S).

The following WHO table illustrates the importance of road traffic injuries among the ten leading causes.

Note that road traffic injuries ranked 9th in 1999 but are predicted to rise to 3rd by 2020. (See chart)

Historically, nations have largely ignored road traffic injuries because these have tended to be considered as resulting from accidents, random events that are inevitable.

We now have a greater understanding of road traffic injuries and it has become clear that more than 90 percent of these events are not only predictable but preventable.

In addition, road traffic injuries result in a staggering economic burden for nations.

The costs associated with surgery, prolonged hospitalisation, long-term rehabilitation, loss of productivity and materiel damage represent tens of billions of dollars each year.

The cost for our small nation of Bermuda is surely in the millions.

Says Dr. Gro Harlem Brudtland, director general of WHO: "Over the past few years, national and world leaders have become aware of what health professionals have long argued: that stable and prosperous societies cannot be achieved without investing in health.

As such, investments in injury and violence prevention are ultimately investments in health and development."

Wealthy nations have been the first to implement road safety prevention strategies.

Bermuda considers itself a developed nation yet has lagged behind when it comes to injury prevention.

The health and prosperity of the nation depends in part on addressing our most pressing road safety issues:

l Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs

l Speeding

Under-utilization of seat belts and child restraints

l Young inexperienced road users

l Inadequate or inadequately fastened helmets