Dar es Salaam - A global action plan is critical to intensify efforts in upgrading driver training and licensing systems in Africa, says Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.
Speaking at a "Make Roads Safe Africa 2009" Conference in Tanzania on Wednesday, Minister Ndebele said the number of road deaths in Africa, currently predicted at 200 000 a year, were greater than the deaths from Malaria.
By 2020, the annual global road death toll is forecast to increase by over 45 percent while by 2015, road crashes are predicted to become the leading cause of premature death and disability for children aged five and above.
In addition, over 3 400 men, women and children are killed every single day on the world's roads while walking, cycling or driving.
"These statistics, inevitably, pose a question among us as to what should be done," said Minister Ndebele.
He said a report, after the findings, proposes a "Decade of Action for Road Safety" to be launched by the United Nations in 2010.
"The goal will be to reduce the forecast level of road deaths in 2020 by 50 percent," he said.
Mr Ndebele told delegates at the conference that the South African government regarded road crashes and road deaths as a serious challenge.
According to the minister, the primary contributory factors in fatal crashes, or serious injuries, included excessive speeding, drinking and driving and failure to wear seatbelts.
Pedestrians accounted for almost 50 percent of road crash fatalities in South Africa, he said
"It is our mandate, as Governments and the people of Africa, to intensify our efforts in upgrading driver training and licensing systems," Minister Ndebele said.
The continent should strengthen the inspection of vehicles and encourage stronger police enforcement on the road networks.
Delegates from different parts of the world attended the conference, hosted by the Make Roads Safe Campaign, the World Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
