In 2004, the United Nations and the World Health Organization
declared a “global road safety crisis”.
Annually, 1,260,000 die as a result of injuries received
in road crashes. Another 30 to 50 million are injured.
The UN estimates the loss to society is 500 billion
US Dollars in lost productivity and health care costs.
A majority of these deaths and injuries occur in developing
nations. A large percentage of these deaths are as a
result of the victim not receiving first aid or emergency
medical treatment within the first hour. That first
hour after an injury or serious illness strike, is known
to medical practitioners and first responders as “THE
GOLDEN HOUR”.
In many developing nations, police do not have the
tools or training to prevent collisions, investigate
them or to treat victims. Numerous jurisdictions do
not have ambulances or the trained staff and equipment
to fill them. Emergency rooms are little more than a
wooden table and a nearly empty first aid case.
Surgeons are few, and because of conditions, surgeries
are not carried out promptly.
In the developed world, there are standards for the
timely arrival of emergency responders, at scene treatment
and victim removal to an emergency facility that is
fully equipped and staffed. Survival rates are disproportionately
high compared to developing nations due to the fact
that treatment is received in “THE
GOLDEN HOUR”.
Police, Fire, Ambulance services and Medical institutions
routinely discard used equipment that is serviceable
and salvageable merely because newer and more advanced
equipment is available. The used equipment is often
sold or auctioned at next to nothing prices. Ambulances
become service vehicles for independent repair services
or gardeners, police vehicles become taxi cabs. Hospital
equipment may be used by independent clinics. Radar
speed measuring equipment becomes?
In today’s society, where municipal, provincial/state
and federal governments have multi-billion dollar budgets,
surely the few pennies they receive from these auctions
and sales do little to offset the budget. This equipment,
if donated and distributed to these developing nations,
along with proper training, would go a long way to making
treatment in “THE GOLDEN
HOUR” a global reality.
Road safety educational materials, speed enforcement
equipment, proper road signs and driver education programs
will also help in preventing crashes and thereby reducing
deaths and injuries. “OPERATION
GOLDEN HOUR” has the potential to save
many lives around the world.
In order for “OPERATION
GOLDEN HOUR” to work, the cooperation of
all levels of government, the private sector and all
institutions is needed. Organizations that have something
to give, whether it be hard goods like equipment, soft
goods such as training or transport services like airlines
and shipping companies need to step forward and be counted.
For more information about “OPERATION
GOLDEN HOUR” or if you want to help, contact
Ted Holtzheuser at 416-239-0070 or info@roadsafetynetwork.com
On Monday, May 16th 2005, “Canada, Road Safety
Week” begins. Canada has made many advances in
road safety. Canadians can share that experience with
those less fortunate nations that account for a majority
of road fatalities. Ted Holtzheuser will leave for Istanbul,
Turkey on this day to attend an International road safety
conference that will focus on saving lives through collision
prevention and first response treatment. Please donate
used traffic safety and emergency response equipment.
Please download our Operation Golden Hour brochure here:
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