A report from the World Health Organization indicates that Africa has the worst road fatality rate in the world. The figures for Africa are 26.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Nearly three times more than in Europe.
The report says that many countries in Africa and South America do not have enough laws on speed limits. But it is the statistics on vehicle safety that gives the most information on the reason for the higher rate of accidents in Africa.
Countries that do not apply UN vehicle safety standards are marked in red on the chart – as you can see, it’s almost all of Africa.
These standards require that vehicles be equipped with devices that can prevent an accident. Such as electronic stability control and emergency braking.
The number of road deaths continues to rise steadily, according to reports. Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon are countries where mortality rates have increased. Egypt, Angola, Burkina Faso and Burundi are among those experiencing a reduction.
Africa also has the highest proportion of pedestrian and cycling fatalities.
In Ghana, almost half of those killed are pedestrians; in Ethiopia and Kenya this figure is 37%.
In Kenya, one in four people die in an accident involving two- or three-wheeled vehicles.
