Yesterday saw the launch of a new initiative designed to reduce road traffic fatalities on the continent.
It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the World Bank, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the International Transport Forum and is the first regional Road Safety Observatory in Africa.
Africa has the highest rate of road traffic fatalities (20% of global road deaths) despite comparatively low levels of motorisation (2% of the world’s cars).
According to the World Bank, the Observatory will provide better insight into the key risk factors contributing to the region’s road safety crisis by collecting, analysing and sharing reliable road crash data.
“By understanding the root causes of traffic injuries and fatalities, policy-makers can better evaluate the preventative measures available and make investment in road safety more effective,” said United Nations secretary general’s special envoy for road safety and FIA president, Jean Todt.
It will also serve as a platform for government officials and road safety experts to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and scale up effective policies across the continent.
“We are confident that the new Observatory will increase the visibility of the road safety challenge in Africa, enable governments to advance regional collaboration, and leverage synergies among African nations to improve road safety conditions, as the Road Safety Observatory in Latin America is already doing,” said World Bank transport and digital development senior director, José Luis Irigoyen.