In Africa, few vehicles, but many deaths on the roads

Africa has the smallest car fleet in the world and one of the least dense road networks, but its roads kill proportionally more than elsewhere. The cause: inadequate infrastructure, obsolete vehicles, impunity, almost non-existent emergency services…

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 report, the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions, which include India and China respectively, recorded more deaths in 2021, but Africa surpasses them in terms of deaths reported to the population.

“Africa has the worst road safety record in the world with 19.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants”recalls Jean Todt, special envoy of the UN Secretary General for road safety, who deplores a “growing trend”. Unlike other regions, the number of people killed on African roads increased by 17% between 2010 and 2021.

the situation “Varies significantly by country”but the number of deaths has increased in more than half of the countries on the continent, emphasizes Haileyesus Adamtei, head of road safety at the African Transport Policy Program (SSATP) and transport specialist at the World Bank (WB).

About 620 deaths per day

In total, about 225,000 people died on African roads in 2021, or about 620 per day, according to the WHO. And while the continent is home to only 4% of the world’s car fleet, it will account for 19% of road deaths in 2023.

As in other places, speed, alcohol, failure to use seat belts and helmets, failure to comply with the highway code “are among the main causes of death and injuries” along the way, explains Mr. Haileyesus, also pointing out “Poor road infrastructure and inadequate spaces for pedestrians, particularly in urban areas”.

In Africa, pedestrians account for a third of road deaths, compared to 21% globally, according to the WHO. “We need better designed streets, with sidewalks, proper signage and pedestrian paths, especially around schools”underlines Jean Todt.

To Mr. Haileyesus, “Many African countries continue to design their infrastructure for motor vehicles and not people, and without safety being the main concern”.

Africa is also the world’s largest recipient of used vehicles, many of which “They are more than fifteen years old and offer low levels of security”notes the United Nations Road Safety Fund.

Lack of “political will”

In Senegal, “The deterioration of vehicles is an important factor of insecurity” AND “accidents caused by vehicles with defective brakes or worn tires” They are numerous, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Road Transport explains to Agence France-Presse (AFP). To Mr. Haileyesus, “political will” sometimes they don’t really enforce road safety rules.

The spokesman for the Senegalese ministry admits that ignorance of the highway code (permits granted based on low requirements, sometimes through corruption) is compounded by ” often “ complacent or corrupt law enforcement, reducing the risk of sanctions for violations.

Following a collision between two buses that caused forty-two deaths in January 2023, the government of Senegal took twenty-two measures, but “most have never been implemented”underlines. Some, such as the ban on placing luggage on the roof of buses, which could unbalance the vehicle, met with strong opposition from operators.

“Traffic accidents are not inevitable” and road safety “should be the top priority” governments, says Jean Todt. Because “Beyond the human tragedy, traffic accidents are one of the main causes of slowing down the development of a country and cost an average of 4 to 5% of GDP, sometimes more in Africa”.