Road safety in Africa

Road safety in Africa: focus on simple measures

I agree with Khayesi et al [1] that road safety in Africa must be
addressed in the context of the myriad of problems plaguing the continent.
In Nigeria, traffic congestion in some cities and the economic downturn
has led to increased utilization of motorcycles for commercial purposes.
Riders particularly exploit the ability to filter through traffic to
advantage, at times, with disastrous consequences. Night travels are
popular mostly amongst traders despite the inherent risks associated with
it. The night trips help them to ‘gain’ time in the day for their business
activities. Overhead footbridges have been taken over by petty traders
hawking goods making them impassable. Drivers of vehicles hardly accord
pedestrians the right of way they deserve at pedestrian crossings. While
in high-income countries improved vehicle designs to reduce the impact of
injuries to pedestrians are being developed, dilapidated and rickety
vehicles with emissions that are hazardous to the people and the
environment abound on the roads in most parts of Nigeria.

To an extent, some recent developments in some countries signal a
positive response to the growing problem of road traffic crashes in
Africa. In Nigeria for instance, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)
which was established in 1988 regularly undertakes road safety campaigns
against drink driving in motor parks and through the print and electronic
media. This activity is usually intensified during festivities. The
compulsory use of seatbelts was introduced in 2003. However, its benefit
in public transportation is limited by overcrowding of vehicles. In some
states in Nigeria, the use of crash helmets has been introduced. White
road markings are now being made on some federal roads by an agency in
charge of maintenance of federal roads. These measures though belated and
far from ideal should be applauded. There is the need to undertake studies
to validate the effect of some of these interventions. Greater partnership
and collaboration between the various agencies involved in road safety is
important to achieve this.

In the light of their meagre resources, African countries need to
focus on simple measures and avoid duplication of functions by various
agencies in order to achieve road safety. Education of all road users to
recognize the right of pedestrians to the road at designated pedestrian
crossings is extremely important. The wearing of brightly coloured cloths
and reflective materials by motorcyclists and their pillion passengers to
make them more obvious should be encouraged. There is the need for
legislation against the local fabrication of additional pillion seats on
motorcycles. There is also the need for road safety messages to convey the
impact of the loss of dear ones to the families and friends of the
victims. A change of attitude by all road users as well as sustained
efforts, persuasion and greater political will are needed to tackle road
safety in Africa.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully

Abdu S Opaluwa

References
1. Khayesi M, Peden M. Road safety in Africa. BMJ 2005; 331:710-1. (1
October 2005)

Competing interests:
None declared