The statistics are alarming and paint a tragic picture. Although Africa accounts for only 4% of the global vehicle fleet, the continent recorded 620 deaths per day in 2021.
Africa has the worst road safety record in the world, with 19.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, surpassing other densely populated regions like Southeast Asia. In 2021, approximately 225,000 people were killed on African roads, or about 620 deaths per day.
A WHO report shows a 17% increase in road deaths in Africa between 2010 and 2021, particularly affecting pedestrians. The main causes of fatalities include not wearing helmets, speeding, alcohol consumption, and failure to comply with traffic regulations. Additionally, infrastructures are often designed for vehicles rather than pedestrian safety.
African roads are frequently criticized. They are often poorly designed, lacking sidewalks, proper signage, and pedestrian crossings, particularly in urban areas, contributing to a high pedestrian mortality rate, which accounts for one-third of fatalities compared to 21% globally.
Another factor explaining this situation is the type of vehicles used. The continent is the main importer of used vehicles, many of which are over 15 years old and offer insufficient safety standards. In Senegal, for instance, the poor condition of vehicles contributes to accidents. This situation is worsened by lax enforcement of traffic laws. Despite measures taken after tragedies, their implementation remains inadequate.
“Road safety should be a priority for governments,” insists Jean Todt. For this UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, infrastructure improvements are urgently needed. He also stresses the importance of adopting appropriate policies aimed at reducing risky behaviors on the roads. These accidents have significant economic consequences, costing an average of 4 to 5% of a country’s GDP. This indicator alone is enough to sound the alarm.
Road safety goals are an integral part of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) agenda. Halving the number of deaths and injuries on the roads by 2030 is a top priority. To work towards this, countries like Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, among others, are benefiting from the UN Road Safety Fund project for safer used vehicles.
