Africa has the highest road fatality rate in the world, according to the OMS, one of the main causes are drinking alcohol, not paying attention to traffic signs and speeding. In fact, traffic accidents are a daily occurrence on the African continent.
The World Health Organization (OMS) reports a mortality rate of 26.6 per 100,000 people, about three times higher than in Europe. The Dominican Republic has the highest rate of road deaths in the world, as ranked by the Global Life Expectancy Health Platform based on WHO data.
Kenya ranks 12th with 48 road deaths per 100,000 population. That is why Kenya’s Home Minister kithure Kindiki has announced tougher measures against drivers who fail to meet road safety standards.
“We expect all regulations governing traffic on the roads to be 100% obeyed by all people, regardless of class or social status,” he said.
Similar measures were taken in South Africa. Officials are increasingly asking drivers to be more careful on the roads, especially during the end-of-year holiday season.
Furthermore, the main causes of accidents are excessive alcohol consumption and the fact that some drivers do not have driver’s licenses.
In 2019, about 22.2 people died in road accidents per 100,000 people in South Africa, according to the OMS. This is a very high rate compared to other countries. In Germany, for example, about 4 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2018.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reports that road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria.