NAIROBI: The World Health Organization’s latest report on road safety has unveiled troubling statistics, revealing that around 225,482 persons have been killed in road crashes in Africa, accounting for 19 percent of global road traffic fatalities.
Released on Tuesday in Nairobi, Kenya, the 2023 Road Safety Status Report for the African region paints a stark picture of the continent’s road safety challenges. Despite Africa holding only 3 percent of the world’s vehicles, it suffers from the highest road traffic fatality rate globally, with 19.4 deaths per 100,000 population.
The report underscores that pedestrians, cyclists, and users of two or three-wheeler vehicles bear the brunt of these fatalities, highlighting their vulnerability on African roads. Shockingly, 70 percent of deaths from road crashes occur among males aged 15 to 64, prematurely ending thousands of lives in their productive years.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa, expressed deep concern over the rising death toll, emphasizing that road traffic fatalities in Africa are increasing at a faster rate than in any other region. She lamented that between 2010 and 2021, road traffic deaths in the African region rose by 17 percent, demonstrating a failure to meet the target of a 50 percent reduction by 2020 set by the global community.
“The African region has fallen short in progress towards the target of a 50 percent reduction in deaths by 2020. Between 2010 and 2021, the estimated number of road traffic fatalities in the African region increased by 17 percent from 192,682 to 225,482 deaths. Only 17 out of 35 countries reduced road traffic fatalities.”
However, Dr Moeti expressed optimism that despite the alarming trend, there are positive signs of progress as member States have implemented some measures to tackle the issue pointing out that the successes have provided valuable lessons for the region.
More than one-third of countries in the African Region have succeeded in reducing the number of road traffic deaths in the past 10 years. These successes provide valuable lessons for the Region, demonstrating that robust, multisectoral and evidence-based road safety interventions, along with effective implementation, can make a significant difference.
“Africa’s most vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians, remain at high risk. The African Region has the highest proportion of pedestrian deaths, accounting for one-third of global fatalities. This highlights the need for additional urgent action from all Member States to address these challenges comprehensively and protect the most vulnerable. Sub-Saharan Africa is also the world’s fastest urbanizing region.”
She stressed the need for governments of member states to innovate and provide safe, affordable, and sustainable modes of transport, including public transport, for emphasized the need to strengthen national road safety strategies, improve coordination mechanisms, and allocate adequate resources to support implementation.
Dr Moeti said there is a need to ensure equitable access to post-crash responses and rehabilitation services for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
