Africa faces a growing road safety crisis, with traffic deaths spiking by 17% from 2010 to 2021, reaching 226,100 fatalities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the continent has the highest ratio of traffic deaths globally, with 19.5 fatalities per 100,000 people in 2021, despite accounting for only 4% of the world’s vehicles.
Experts attribute the alarming trend to several factors, including speeding, alcohol use, and lack of seatbelt and helmet enforcement. However, in Africa, these are compounded by poor infrastructure, aging vehicles, lax enforcement, and insufficient emergency services. A third of the victims are pedestrians, due to inadequate pavements and poorly designed roads.
According to media news reports, many vehicles on African roads are more than 15 years old, often in disrepair with faulty brakes and worn tires. Corruption in law enforcement and driver licensing exacerbates the problem, with bribes allowing unsafe practices to continue unchecked.
The United Nations has called for urgent action, aiming to halve road deaths by 2030. Experts warn that beyond the human toll, the economic impact of road crashes costs African countries up to 5% of their GDP, hindering development.
