Annually, approximately 1.25 million lives are lost due to road traffic accidents globally, with a significant impact on the 15-29 age group. Particularly concerning is the rising number of accidents in low-income African countries, where road traffic fatality rates are notably higher compared to high-income countries, despite accounting for only 48% of the world's registered vehicles, low and middle-income countries bear over 90% of global road traffic fatalities. Africa and South-East Asia have the highest rates of road traffic deaths.This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of road safety performance in 20 Sub-Saharan African countries using the newly developed Road Safety Performance Index (RSPI). The RSPI, a composite measure comprising 13 indicators, provides a holistic view of road safety performance in each country. Data from reputable sources, including the World Bank and official government reports, were collected for the year 2020. Employing multiple regression analysis, the study delves into the factors influencing road safety in Sub-Saharan African countries. The findings reveal significant variation in road safety performance across the region, with Mauritania leading the rankings due to robust road safety indicators. Conversely, Ethiopia and Nigeria show potential areas for improvement, particularly in traffic safety-related law enforcement. The RSPI offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize road safety initiatives and targeted interventions. By leveraging this index, Sub-Saharan African countries can work towards enhancing road safety outcomes and reducing road traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the region.
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