Road accidents 'biggest killer of young people around world'

Road accidents were the "leading cause" of adolescent deaths around the world in 2015, a study has found.

Research from the World Heath Organisation reveals 115,000 young people aged between ten to 19 died from injuries sustained in a car crash.

Young men between the ages of 15 and 19 "make up the biggest share" of road fatalities, many of which are located in "poorer countries in Europe, the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean region", the BBC says.

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While fatal road accidents are "far fewer in number" in high-income countries, the broadcaster adds, they are "still the leading cause of adolescent death".

However, the WHO research also found that some countries in Africa see more adolescent deaths from "communicable diseases" and "lower respiratory infections" than road fatalities.

Report author David Ross told The Guardian: "Most of the road traffic injuries that cause death globally in adolescents, the adolescent is a passive victim." These are passengers or pedestrian and not the driver.

He also said governments needed to consider more traffic-calming measures around schools, along with lowering the alcohol limit and making seat belts compulsory in countries where it is not mandated by law.