Challenge
Despite accommodating only 4% of the global motor vehicle fleet, African roads witness more than 10% of the world’s traffic fatalities. African traffic death rates are the highest globally and more than four times higher than the European average. With further motorisation, traffic fatalities and injuries are expected to further grow unless decisive actions are taken to tackle the problem.
Safe System Approach
Presently, impressive traffic safety improvements in many parts of the world are often attributed to the adoption of the Safe System-approach to safety management. Its long-term goal is zero fatalities or heavy injuries from traffic accidents. Safe speeds, tolerance for human errors, and responsibility of the transport system designers to create a forgiving road environment are at the core of the Safe System. Considering global level of adoption, success of Safe System in Africa is forecasted. The key to efficient uptake of this strategy is taking into account local conditions and rooting the foundations of this system among African experts.
AfroSAFE Objective
The fundamental objective of the AfroSAFE project (funded by the Horizon Europe programme) is to significantly advance the spread of the Safe System mode of operation in the context of road safety initiatives in African nations. This is achieved by exposing local practitioners and decision-makers to state-of-the-art knowledge and practices in road safety management based on Safe System principles, and by supporting them by sharing knowledge, tools, and methods for road safety improvement — adapted to African conditions and in close collaboration with local actors.
NTU tasks (as a Leader of Work Package 6 – Post-crash care) cover:
- Identification of national, regional, and global partnerships and initiatives on post-crash response and key stakeholders working on post-crash response,
- Analysis of post-crash response on three selected corridors in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. Formulation of the recommendations as specific, realistic, and time-bound action plans,
- Pilot Testing of proposed solutions in three corridors, including pilot preparation, implementation, assessment, and dissemination.
Official project webpage: https://afrosafe-eu.africa/project/