Road safety: simple steps to stay safer on African roads

Road safety matters where you live — whether you drive, ride, or walk. Africa’s roads can change quickly: potholes, livestock, minibuses, and long night stretches all create risks. This page gives clear, practical tips you can use right now and points you to ways you can push for safer streets in your community.

Before you go: quick checklist

Start every trip with a short routine. Check your tyres (pressure and tread), lights, brakes, and mirrors. Carry a charged phone, a basic first-aid kit, water, a reflective triangle, and a spare tyre or puncture repair kit. If you travel long distances, share your route with someone and plan breaks every two hours to avoid fatigue.

For motorbike and minibus drivers: always wear a helmet and check that passengers do too. Secure loads on pickups — loose items can fall and cause crashes. If you have kids, use the right child seat for their age and weight; holding a baby on your lap in traffic is very risky.

On the road: behaviour that cuts risk

Drive to the conditions, not the speed limit. Wet, dusty, or unlit roads need slower, calmer driving. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead — you’ll need extra stopping room on rough surfaces. Avoid sudden lane changes and aggressive overtaking, especially near corners or where visibility is low.

Put your phone away. Even a quick glance can cause a crash. Use hands-free for calls only if you must. Never drink and drive; alcohol slows reaction time and judgment. When approaching pedestrian areas, boda-boda clusters, or markets, slow down and be ready to stop.

At night, use dipped headlights when meeting other vehicles and full beams where safe. Watch for animals and people walking on the road shoulder. Reflective vests help if you stop on the roadside — they make you visible from a distance.

If you’re a pedestrian, cross at marked points where possible and make eye contact with drivers before stepping out. Wear light-coloured clothes at night and keep children close. On busy roads, use footbridges or underpasses even if they add a few minutes.

After a crash: stay calm and move to a safe place if you can. Check for injuries and call emergency services. Take pictures of the scene and exchange basic info with other parties. Report major hazards — like exposed guardrails or dangerous potholes — to local authorities so others don’t face the same risk.

Want safer roads in your town? Join or start a local road-safety group, report trouble spots, push for speed bumps near schools, and ask authorities for better lighting. Small community actions often change behaviour faster than laws alone.

Use these tips every time you travel. A few simple habits cut real risk and help everyone get home safe.