This study applies a counterfactual analysis to assess the reduction in road traffic deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) if all vehicles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were designed to provide crash protection equivalent to that of the best vehicle safety design in their class, and if all road users adhere to safety best practices. We estimated the current availability and effectiveness of vehicle safety technologies related to the priority United Nations (UN) vehicle safety standards, using protective devices (occupant restraints and helmets), and emerging technologies (autonomous emergency braking system (AEBS), lane keeping assistance (LKA), and speed limitation). Results indicate that if all ASEAN vehicles comply with the priority UN vehicle safety standards and if all road users appropriately wear protective devices, it would save 34,373 lives and reduce health loss by 2.5 million DALYs. Collision avoidance systems would provide additional reductions estimated at 6,977 lives saved and 626,564 DALYs averted by the AEBS and 6,100 fewer deaths and 394,656 fewer DALYs by the LKA. Speed limitation would have the largest additional benefit in the ASEAN region, estimated at 21,394 lives saved and 1,382,530 fewer DALYs. The overall effect of all investigated technologies is estimated at 59% less road traffic deaths and DALYs in the ASEAN region. Regulating vehicle safety technologies and encouraging the use of personal protection devices are among the best approaches toward zero traffic deaths.
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