- 'Humiliated' profession - Afghan media says abuses rising
- Biden, Harris to visit Hurricane Helene disaster zone
- Oracle to invest $6.5 bn in Malaysian cloud services region
- Parkrun marks 20 years of a free weekly jog, run... or walk
- Thousands march in India as doctors resume strike
- Africa roads among world's deadliest despite few cars
- Oil extends rally after Iran attack, Hong Kong soars again
- Shrinking lake on Albanian-Greek border struggles to survive
- Driven out of Iran, Afghan refugees tell of ordeal
- US VP rivals defend Trump and Harris in polite debate
- Prostitutes, prospectors drive spread in DR Congo mpox capital
- Fact Check: The 2024 US vice presidential debate
- China's Xi congratulates new Japan PM Ishiba
- The New Saints - Welsh league's European pathfinders
- Chelsea's Conference League exile follows internal turmoil
- Tigers, Royals, Mets and Padres win MLB playoff openers
- Al Hilal enjoy AFC Champions League romp after Neymar boost
- Hezbollah losses strengthen Turkey against Iran: analysts
- Oil extends rally after Iran attack, Hong Kong resumes surge
- Japan records second-hottest September
- Cards to consoles: Nintendo opens first museum
- New Greenland hearing for anti-whaling activist Watson
- China's Xi tells Putin ready to 'expand' ties: state media
- Vance, Walz clash in VP debate overshadowed by Trump
- Cricket: Six to watch at the women's T20 World Cup
- Ten Hag demands Man Utd response in Europa League
- In Colombia, paying at-risk youngsters 'to not kill'
- Extreme heat another form of death sentence in Texas jails
- On world stage, Harris promises alliances and Trump puts US first
- Vance, Walz clash in US VP debate
- X agrees to pay Brazil fines, court orders finances unblocked
- California passes law allowing Dutch-style cannabis cafes
- Taiwan shuts down as Typhoon Krathon approaches
- Netflix war epic to open Asia's largest film festival
- Can music help plants grow? Study suggests sound boosts fungus
- Death toll from powerful storm Helene tops 150 in US
- Guatemala dismantles migrant trafficking ring
- Tigers beat Astros, Royals blank Orioles to open MLB playoffs
- US, Israel warn of response to Iranian missile attack
- Nike earnings drop, says turnaround will take time
- Vance, Walz set for US VP debate clash
- Arsenal beat PSG in Champions League duel, Dortmund hit Celtic for seven
- Inter sweep past Red Star to claim first Champions League win
- Tigers defeat Astros 3-1 to open MLB playoffs
- Celtic got 'spooked', says Rodgers after Dortmund beating
- 'Rusty' Foden happy to kickstart Man City season in Bratislava rout
- Fires taking Amazon closer to 'point of no return': expert
- NFL suspends Bills' Miller four games for personal conduct violation
- US dockworkers launch mass strike a month before election
- Leverkusen hold on to beat AC Milan in the Champions League
Africa roads among world's deadliest despite few cars
Africa has the fewest roads and cars of any region, and yet the largest ratio of vehicle deaths, caused by the usual suspects -- unsafe habits, speeding and drinking -- but also poor infrastructure, scant rescuers and old cars.
As everywhere, speed, alcohol and not wearing a seat belt or helmet are among the main causes of death and injury, say experts.
But in Africa, where there are 620 traffic deaths every day, these problems are compounded by bad roads, outdated vehicles, minimal prosecutions and a shortage of emergency services.
A recent World Health Organisation report found that Africa surpassed the rest of the world, including Southeast Asia -- which recorded the most road deaths -- with a record ratio of 19.5 people killed per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021.
Home to only around four percent of the world's automobiles, Africa accounted for 19 percent of road deaths last year.
"What is worrying is the upward trend in Africa," said Jean Todt, a former head of the International Automobile Federation and now the United Nations(UN) special envoy for road safety.
The continent is the only region where road deaths increased between 2010 and 2021 -- up 17 percent to 226,100. The spike was seen in more than half of Africa's countries (28 out of 54).
The biggest victims are pedestrians, accounting for a third of fatalities due to a lack of adequate pavements, compared to 21 percent worldwide.
"We need to have better designed streets with sidewalks, adequate signage and pedestrian lanes, particularly around schools," Todt said.
He also bemoaned the shortage of public transport for the rapidly urbanising continent.
Urban planning is also at fault.
"Many African countries continue to design their infrastructure for motor vehicles and not for individuals, and without safety being the main concern," said Haileyesus Adamtei, a transport expert at the World Bank.
- 'Never been implemented' -
One major culprit is the quality of the cars plying Africa's roads, with many more than 15 years old, according to the UN Road Safety Fund.
A transport ministry spokesperson in Senegal told AFP that faulty brakes and worn tires were common -- and often deadly.
"The dilapidated state of vehicles is a major factor in the lack of safety," the spokesperson said.
The West African country introduced a raft of new rules after a head-on crash between two night buses in January 2023 killed 40 people.
"But most have never been implemented," the ministry spokesperson admitted.
Some rules, such as a ban on loading luggage on the roof of buses, which could unbalance the vehicle, were fiercely opposed by operators.
It does not help that drivers can often get a licence with only perfunctory lessons and testing -- often avoided altogether with a bribe.
Corruption also means that permissive law enforcement often sweeps many road safety violations under the carpet.
The UN has called for a "decade of action" to halve the number of road deaths by 2030.
Todt insists the aim is achievable and should top government agendas.
"Beyond the human tragedy, road crashes are also a major cause of slowdown in the development of a country, costing on average four to five percent of GDP, sometimes much more in Africa," he said.
burs-ayv/er/ju
O.Johnson--AMWN