Fast tracking road safety initiatives in Africa: an inescapable necessity

The International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva, together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication organised a regional seminar called “Fast Tracking Road Safety Initiatives in Africa: An Inescapable Necessity. ” The two-day Regional Road Safety Seminar was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 – 14 March 2017. The seminar focussed on ways to accelerate the implementation of actions to address t
May 31, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
A road safety initiative was held in Tanzania with the help of the IRF
The International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva, together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication organised a regional seminar called “Fast Tracking Road Safety Initiatives in Africa: An Inescapable Necessity. ”  The two-day Regional Road Safety Seminar was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 – 14 March 2017.  The seminar focussed on ways to accelerate the implementation of actions to address the growing problem of road safety in Africa.


The Honourable Tanzanian Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, and Chairman of the 2462 IRF Africa Board, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, inaugurated the event in Dar Es Salaam and urged the participants to develop realistic and implementable strategies to combat the pandemic on African roads.  During his keynote address, the Honourable Deputy Minister of Transport of Namibia, Mr. Sankwasa James Sankwasa, emphasised the urgency of acting to improve road safety in Africa.

The key conclusions of the seminar were:

1.    Political commitment is needed for improving road  safety.

2.    Each country should prepare a national road map.

3.    Dedicated Road Safety Boards addressing ALL aspects of road safety should be established.

4.    The Road Safety Board should report directly to the Head of State.

5.    Countries should implement road safety standards for vehicles and infrastructure.

6.    Regular road safety audits and inspections should be made routine.

7.    A “Black-spot” remediation program should be implemented.

8.    Reliable data collection and management systems must underpin road safety policy.

9.    Road safety education should become an integral part of school curriculums.

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