Roads kill more than wars across Africa annually

DAR ES SALAAM: ROAD safety continues to be one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century, affecting millions globally.

Each year, more than 1.2 million people die in road traffic crashes, while an estimated 20 to 50 million others suffer non-fatal injuries.

Many of these injuries result in lifelong disabilities, creating enduring consequences for individuals, families and communities.

Despite international efforts to improve road safety, the burden of traffic crashes remains disproportionately high in low- and middle-income regions, with Africa standing out as the most affected continent.

The African continent experiences an estimated 26.6 deaths per 100,000 population annually significantly higher than the global average of roughly 15 deaths per 100,000.

Alarmingly, this high fatality rate persists even though African countries account for only about 3 per cent of the world’s registered vehicles, highlighting that vehicle ownership alone cannot explain the scale of the problem.

A large proportion of these fatalities involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Contributing factors include inadequate road infrastructure, limited enforcement of traffic laws and insufficient public awareness about road safety.

These issues underscore the multifaceted nature of the challenge and the urgent need for systemic interventions. In Tanzania, road safety remains a critical concern. Government statistics reveal that between January and June 2024, there were 886 reported traffic accidents, resulting in 827 deaths a rise of more than 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Looking at the broader picture, 1,550 people lost their lives in road crashes in Tanzania in 2023 alone. These numbers highlight the ongoing human cost of road trauma, which touches families and communities across the country. A detailed analysis of 2023 shows that of the 1,641 road traffic accidents recorded nationwide, 1,550 people died.

Among these fatalities, 1,189 were men and 361 women, indicating a disproportionate impact on male road users. The Tanzanian Minister responsible for home affairs has repeatedly emphasised the urgency of addressing the “road carnage” affecting every region, underscoring the need for coordinated national action.

Data from the Tanzania Police Force and the National Bureau of Statistics reveal a concerning upward trend in recent years.

During the first half of 2024 alone, traffic incidents increased by 36.1 per cent, while fatal accidents rose by 44.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. In this six-month window, deaths climbed from 66 to 92, while injuries surged from 93 to 156, demonstrating that the road safety situation remains precarious. Crashes in Tanzania are largely preventable.

Official government and police reports attribute a majority of accidents to reckless or negligent driving. Human error including speeding, distracted driving and general lack of discipline accounts for 97 per cent of all road accidents.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has stressed the importance of enforcing traffic laws more strictly, noting that reckless driving alone was responsible for 73.7 per cent of 2024 crashes.

Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as “bodaboda,” continue to be a significant contributor to fatalities. In 2023, motorcycle-related accidents accounted for 435 crashes and 376 deaths, highlighting the vulnerability of riders on Tanzanian roads.

ALSO READ: A ‘makeshift structure’ to help people cross a flooded river on foot, may not be a pedestrian crossing!

Similarly, in Zanzibar, traffic deaths increased in mid-2025, with 17 people killed in June alone a 13.3 per cent rise from May largely due to reckless behaviour by motorcyclists and other drivers.

Despite these worrying trends, Tanzania has achieved measurable progress over the long term. Between 2018 and 2022, total recorded road accidents dropped by 57 per cent, from 3,988 to 1,720. During the same period, injuries fell by nearly 46 per cent, while fatalities declined by about 19 per cent, suggesting that sustained awareness campaigns and improved enforcement of traffic laws can yield tangible results.

Nevertheless, Tanzania’s road safety record remains poor relative to global benchmarks. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the country’s estimated road traffic death rate is 16 per 100,000 people, placing it among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Limited emergency medical services, lack of first-aid training and insufficient ambulance availability contribute to unnecessary fatalities that could be mitigated with timely intervention. Recognising these challenges, stakeholders in the transport sector have called for greater investment in technology and safer road designs.

The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has announced plans to deploy vehicle-tracking systems and CCTV cameras in commercial vehicles to monitor driver behaviour and ensure compliance with safety standards. Policy discussions have also intensified in recent years.

Some lawmakers argue that existing traffic laws are too lenient to effectively deter reckless driving, calling for stronger penalties and reclassification of severe traffic offences to reflect their societal impact.

Between 2019 and 2024, Tanzania recorded over 10,093 accidents, resulting in 7,639 deaths and 12,663 injuries, demonstrating the magnitude of the ongoing challenge.

Motorcycle crashes remain a central concern. Data from 2024 indicate that motorbikes were involved in hundreds of deaths and injuries, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions to protect riders and other vulnerable road users.

Globally, road traffic injuries are particularly deadly for young people aged 5 to 29 years, cutting short lives and causing lasting emotional and economic hardship for families. The economic impact of road crashes is also substantial.

Estimates suggest that traffic injuries cost countries roughly 3 per cent of GDP, factoring in medical care, lost productivity and long-term disability. Experts emphasise that these losses are largely preventable through evidence-based policies and behavior change campaigns that address risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, non-use of seatbelts or helmets, poor road infrastructure and weak law enforcement.

To address this global problem, the WHO and the United Nations launched the 2021–2030 Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to stabilise and reduce projected fatalities.

The initiative seeks to halve road deaths and injuries worldwide by 2030 through safer road systems, stronger traffic laws, enhanced vehicle safety standards and improved post-crash care.

Progress is already evident in some regions; between 2010 and 2021, over half of UN member states recorded declines in road fatalities, despite growing vehicle numbers and expanding road networks. Tanzania shows some promising signs as well.

Multi-year data indicate that road accidents fell by more than 50 per cent between 2018 and 2022, highlighting the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement. Yet the battle is far from over.

Many African countries, including Tanzania, still lack comprehensive, best-practice road safety laws and infrastructure, contributing to persistently high fatality rates.

Experts stress that improving road safety requires holistic, multisectoral action involving government agencies, civil society, communities and individual road users. Critical interventions include road safety education, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, infrastructure improvements and the establishment of emergency medical response systems.

Timely first aid, effective ambulance services and trained responders can save lives in the minutes following a crash. Individuals also bear responsibility for safer roads. Simple actions obeying speed limits, wearing seatbelts and helmets, avoiding distracted driving and respecting pedestrian right-of-way can drastically reduce the risk of crashes and save lives.

Collectively, these measures form a culture of safety that complements governmental and institutional efforts. As road transport expands across Tanzania, Africa and the world, ensuring safer roads is not merely a policy objective but a shared responsibility.

Reducing road traffic fatalities protects lives, strengthens economies and enhances national development. With sustained commitment, coordinated action and public awareness, it is possible to protect vulnerable road users, reduce deaths and injuries and build safer, more efficient transport systems for all.