Hubungan Kecederaan Trafik dengan Pembangunan Ekonomi Malaysia

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that by 2020, injuries due to road accidents will become one of the most significant health issues ( fatality, serious injury and minor injury) facing the world population especially those in the developing countries. Traffic accidents will also cause substantial material and property losses worth billions of Ringgit. As one of the developing countries, Malaysia is not spared of this problem. To illustrate in 200, traffic accidents is the sixth largest contributor to mortality and the third most significant cause for hospital admissions. This study aims at testing the relationship between traffic injuries and economic development based on the ‘Environmental Kuznets Curves’ framework using time series data from 1979 to 2007. The theory hypothesises that there exists an inverted-u relationship between mortality rate due to traffic injuries and the level of economic development. Results of the analysis confirms the existence of such a relationship that is consistent with findings of similar studies in using data from the developed countries. In evaluating public policy effectiveness, consideration must be given to the notion that increase in individual income on demand for higher safety even in the absence of safety enhancing policy measures. The establishment of policies and institutions to promote safety, and stricter road traffic law enforcement is not the sole explanation for the reduction in the rate of fatality and injuries.