Ethiopia launches road safety performance review report

Addis Ababa, January 13, 2021 (FBC) –Ethiopia has officially launched its road safety performance review report with support from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.

The review, conducted by the United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa (UNECA) and Europe (UNECE), provides a holistic assessment of the country’s road safety situation and pinpoints concrete measures to save lives.

The review highlights that from an infrastructure perspective, the concept of road safety is not systematically incorporated in all stages of the development and administration of road projects in Ethiopia.

Overall, passengers are the most vulnerable road users in the country, accounting for 52 per cent of road deaths in 2018. However, in urban areas, pedestrians account for the majority of fatalities.

Ensuring safe infrastructure for vulnerable road users is a priority area where the government is already taking action.

The review notes that Ethiopia has some regulatory basis for governing road safety and the transport sector in general, but which must be strengthened considerably.

Furthermore, the review suggests that the Government should improve legislation and implementation of laws and regulations on vehicle standards and periodic technical inspection, aligned with UN agreements.

Some progress has been made in providing road safety education, with awareness-raising campaigns initiated in 2017, but more needs to be done to improve national coverage of the on-going initiatives.

Lastly, the review highlights recommendations under 10 strategic priority areas for immediate action, aligning with the 5 pillars of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety as well as with the Global Framework Plan of Action for Road Safety.