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REPORT: Road traffic deaths alarming in Africa, toll hits 250,000

Road traffic deaths are increasing at an alarming rate in Africa compared to any other region in the world, with nearly 250,000 lives lost in 2021 alone

NAIROBI: Road traffic deaths are increasing at an alarming rate in Africa compared to any other region in the world, with nearly 250,000 lives lost in 2021 alone.

This alarming trend was highlighted in the African Road Safety Status Report, launched in Nairobi on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), which calls on African nations to take urgent action to curb the rising number of road fatalities.

Speaking during a discussion at the launch of the African Road Safety Status Report held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jeanne Tuniz from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) remarked, “African cities are pedestrian cities but not walkable cities.”

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Tuniz added that more research is needed on the experiences of pedestrians in Africa to improve transport systems that serve them and to ensure cities are cleaner, greener, and safer.

In unveiling the report, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Moeti Tshidi, expressed deep concern over the findings, emphasizing the significant health crisis posed by road traffic accidents in African countries.

“The data in this report is deeply worrying. Hundreds of thousands of lives are being lost needlessly,” Dr. Tshidi stated.

Also read: Police mounts road safety education among children

The report indicates that Africa accounts for one-fifth of global road traffic deaths, despite having only 15 percent of the world’s population, 3 percent of the world’s vehicles, and 1 percent of the paved roads.

This disproportionate number of fatalities underscores the urgent need for comprehensive road safety measures across the continent.

Additionally, the report reveals that pedestrians account for one-third of road traffic deaths in Africa, a rate higher than in any other region.

This statistic highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians and the critical need for safer walking environments.