Africa is facing a devastating road safety crisis, with the continent experiencing a staggering surge in road accidents that claim thousands of lives and leave countless others injured or disabled every year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 250,000 people lose their lives on African roads annually, with many more succumbing to the injuries in the days and weeks following the crashes.
The alarming rate of road accidents in Africa is attributed to lack of standard best practices in road safety which is a significant contributor to the high rate of road accidents on the continent.
Africa recorded a 17% increase in road-related fatalities between 2010 and 2021 according to the WHO Status report on road safety 2023 for the African region – the latest update.
“The region accounts for nearly one-fifth of all road deaths globally, despite being home to only 15% of the world’s population, and 3% of its vehicles.”, the report says.
The report added that no country in the region currently has laws that meet the global best practice standards for the five key road safety behavioural risk factors: speeding, drink driving, non-use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts and child restraints.
The WHO report indicates that the lack of standard best practices is a combination of factors which include poor road infrastructure, inadequate traffic law enforcement, reckless driving behaviours, and a lack of access to proper emergency medical care, all of which converge to create a perfect storm of danger on the continent’s roads.
It is believed that the factors combined lead to a high risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on African roads. Improving road safety standards and practices is essential to reduce the burden of road traffic crashes in Africa.
