Traffic Alert

Driving while poor could kill you.

Bryan Erickson for FP
Bryan Erickson for FP
Bryan Erickson for FP

Every year, car collisions kill more than 1.2 million people worldwide. But poorer countries, despite having fewer than half of the world's cars, have 90 percent of the world's traffic deaths, with fatality rates on average twice those of wealthier countries.

Every year, car collisions kill more than 1.2 million people worldwide. But poorer countries, despite having fewer than half of the world’s cars, have 90 percent of the world’s traffic deaths, with fatality rates on average twice those of wealthier countries.

In Britain, for example, only 10 people are killed per every 100,000 vehicles on the road; but in Afghanistan, more than 1,400 people die for that number of vehicles. In Botswana, although you’re far less likely to have a car or spend significant time driving, you’re still more than 10 times more likely to die in a car accident than in Britain.

The takeaway? Don’t drive while poor.

Annie Lowrey is assistant editor at FP.

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