It is always important we remind ourselves that some of these fatalities on our roads could be avoided if care and precaution is applied.
Statistics revealed that most accidents on our roads are as a result of the carefree attitude and lack of concentration. According to the report, 1.19 million people are killed on the world’s roads every year, a decrease of 5% since 2010.
Africa has the highest estimated road traffic fatality rate of 26.6 per 100,000 population, despite having the lowest level of motorisation in the world. Out of this figure, 650 deaths per day nearly half of which involves vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. This is indeed alarming.
In our yesterday’s edition, we published an article in which the new global status report on road safety, has shown that the 2030 target of halving road accidents for the world is achievable, but that more investment in evidence-based actions are needed to save lives.
This 2023 report launched by the World Health Organisation, and the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety calls for greater investment in evidence-based interventions that put people at the center to halve road deaths and injuries and provide safe, affordable, accessible, sustainable mobility by 2030.
On a serious note, fatalities related to roads had and continue to have long lasting suffering on people especially vulnerable families.
There is a need for the government to put in place stringent measures to ensure safety on our roads. The state of our road infrastructure should also be looked into. The overcrowded nature of our roads also results in some of these fatalities.
Drivers and road users should always exercise patience and drive carefully to save lives. It is true that the number of vehicles is increasing each day but that shouldn’t be an excuse for the recent surge in road accidents.
This, infact should make it a duty for all road users, even pedestrians, to always exercise caution and be mindful.
Let’s always put in mind that the issue has become a phenomenon affecting negatively all sectors of the society. Apart from human suffering to individuals, it also causes huge financial losses to the state and public as a result of accidents and deaths, injuries and disabilities.
Therefore, traffic safety issues should be considered as a national issue as it is strongly related to all aspects of life and has a close link with the protection and sustaining of the natural environment.
Drivers, always avoid intoxication and other harmful substances. Always drive carefully and remember that the life you save may be your own.