The Charter establishes Africa’s first binding continental framework dedicated to road safety and provides a basis for coordinated national action.
The African Union has called for improved road safety data systems and stronger continental cooperation to help countries identify accident trends and develop effective interventions to reduce road traffic fatalities.
The appeal was made by AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, in a video message delivered on Sunday to mark Africa Road Safety Day, observed alongside the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The day recognises victims of road crashes, people living with permanent or temporary injuries and families whose lives have been affected by road tragedies.
Mataboge said road safety remained a major challenge across Africa but noted that the continent had an opportunity to address the problem through stronger institutions, better policies and sustained investment.
She singled out the African Road Safety Observatory as an important platform for improving the collection, sharing and analysis of road safety information across Member States.
Hosted by the African Union Commission, the Observatory brings together national data through designated National Data Coordinators. The system is intended to strengthen evidence-based planning and help governments assess the effectiveness of road safety interventions.
The Commissioner also called for increased investment in emergency response and post-crash care, noting that improving assistance…