Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
The 6th United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week is celebrated on 17–23 May to mobilize leaders and communities to work together to make our roads safer, in the lead up to the launch of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
Every year 1.35 million people die from road traffic injuries worldwide. Today it is the leading cause of death for children and young people between the ages of 5 and 29 years old.
The WHO African Region accounts for only 3% of registered vehicles globally, but 20% of global road traffic deaths, with nearly 272 000 Africans dying on our roads each year – 40% of these casualties are pedestrians.
Speed is a leading risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries. Evidence shows that lowering speed limits in urban areas reduces the risk of fatalities and keeps vulnerable road users safe, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, elders and people with disabilities. Overall, an increase in average speed of one kilometre per hour translates to a 3% higher risk of a crash and a 4% to 5% increase in fatalities.
Most countries have set a default limit of 50 kilometres per hour in urban areas. However on roads with high pedestrian and cyclist traffic, this is inadequate to save lives.
Globally, WHO, the United Nations, philanthropic and civil society organizations supporting local government are leading a movement to reduce speed limits to 30 kilometres per hour in high-density urban settings. Countries in Europe and North America have successfully enforced these limits in selected urban areas leading to fewer crashes and deaths.
In African countries such as Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia, the advocacy of local leaders has led to legislation to implement 30 kilometre per hour speed limits around schools. These are positive steps to protect children and I urge other countries to take similar measures.
Many challenges remain, including building adequate infrastructure to support policies, strengthening multisectoral collaboration, gaining political commitment and awareness-raising to make sure members of the public know, understand and act in line with new regulations.
As WHO we are supporting countries overcome these challenges, to build capacities to implement evidence-based solutions and to enhance data quality for better monitoring and planning. We are also collaborating with partners to mobilize financial and human resources to make our roads safer.
Over the past 10 years, the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020, has garnered political commitment and led to the development of evidence-based interventions to save lives and prevent injuries. Building on this success, the UN General Assembly has called for a second Decade of Action for Global Road Safety 2021–2030 with a goal to halve road traffic deaths. Achieving this ambitious target will require urgent action by governments, civil society organizations and international partners.
So, this Global Road Safety Week, I call on all leaders and communities to advocate for safer speed limits to save lives and to make our communities healthier, greener and more livable.