Evaluation of African Road Safety Action Plan Shows Mixed Results
CITA has published new findings from a comprehensive study evaluating the African Road Safety Action Plan, developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The study, conducted by researchers Dominique Mignot, Laurent Carnis, Eduard Fernandez, Davide-Shingo Usami, and Ruth Welsh, highlights the critical challenges and progress in road safety across the African continent.
The research, which aims to contribute to the improvement of road safety in Africa, reveals that despite some advancements, significant challenges remain. The mid-term evaluation of the UNECA Action Plan indicates that the expected results are not being fully realized, with progress being uneven across different pillars of road safety.
KEY FINDINGS
- Road Safety Management: The study identifies weaknesses in road safety management, including poor institutional organization and coordination, inadequate policy implementation, and insufficient funding. Only a few countries like Burkina Faso and South Africa show relatively good performance, while many others lag behind.
- Safer Roads and Mobility: The implementation of road safety audits and inspections is progressing slowly. Few countries have developed technical guidelines for road safety audits and inspections, which are crucial for improving road infrastructure safety.
- Safer Vehicles: While vehicle inspection is widespread, the quality and regional spread of inspections are inconsistent. The study recommends encouraging the importation of safer vehicles through the application of standards and improving the roadworthiness of both new and used vehicles.
- Safer Road Users: There has been some progress in promoting road safety among young people, but much work remains. The use of child restraints and education on safe road user behavior are areas needing significant improvement.
- Post-Crash Response: The capacity for post-crash response, including emergency medical services and trauma care, is generally inadequate. The study emphasizes the need for better-equipped ambulances, improved emergency medical services, and the development of trauma care facilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The study proposes several recommendations to enhance road safety in Africa:
- Strengthen the institutional framework and allocate adequate resources for road safety policies.
- Develop consistent and systematic data collection systems to inform public policies.
- Promote the use of child restraints through legislation and public awareness campaigns.
- Improve the technical capacity for road safety audits and inspections.
- Ensure the availability of quality spare parts and a network of qualified repair and maintenance workshops.
- Enhance cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.
Eduard Fernandez, representing CITA, emphasized the importance of these recommendations, stating, “Effective implementation of these measures is crucial for saving lives and improving road safety across Africa. CITA remains committed to supporting African countries in their efforts to enhance road safety.”
For more detailed information, the full research report can be accessed here.