Stop the Carnage on African Roads

Road traffic collisions are the leading cause of death in Africa. Death and injuries from road traffic place an enormous strain on Africa’s health care systems and their national economies.

Fortunately, there is a growing recognition that road traffic injuries can be prevented. A number of countries have shown that by taking action on drunk-driving, speeding, use of helmets and seat belts, and increasing the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, a significant number of lives can be saved and resources spared, even as motorization continues to rise. In addition, measures to decrease corruption, in law enforcement, improve the roads, develop pedestrian and driver awareness could bring the accident rate in countries in Africa down to the levels common in fully developed countries.

This book provides information on road accident prevention and draws the attention of the public, the government, the lawmakers and the councils of state in Africa to the loss of lives on our roads. It issues this alert: that after many years of independence, Africa must stop constructing double single roads as major highways from the capital city to link the other cities.