One way or another, accidents and traffic fatalities are common. So common, in fact, and so frequent, that every day, 3,000 people die in road accidents. Many more are injured, some very seriously.

Let’s look at some worldwide statistics.

• Since the first known death involving a motor vehicle in 1869, the worldwide cumulative road death toll has reached 30 million people.

• More than 1.1 million people die in road accidents every year. Another 50 million are injured.

• More than 85% of all road-traffic deaths occur in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

• The most vulnerable users of roads are pedestrians and two-wheeler users—riders of motorcycles and bicycles. Together, they account for approximately 80% of all road-crash fatalities.

• Road traffic accidents are the 11th leading cause of death worldwide, with a toll similar to that of malaria. The World Health Organization projects that by 2020, such accidents will be the 3rd leading cause of death and injury worldwide, with the death rate having grown by 65%.

• Finally—and this is particularly important for younger people—road accidents are already the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 24.

These are stunning and scary figures.