Road Safety

Strengthening South Africa’s Road‑Safety Data System South Africa’s road‑safety outcomes remain poor, partly because the country lacks an integrated national data system. Road‑safety information sits across multiple institutions with inconsistent definitions, weak system linkages and limited coordination. This leads to under‑reporting, disputed fatality numbers and gaps in understanding key risk factors. These data challenges undermine evidence‑based decisions and make it difficult to target high‑risk areas or track progress toward national and global road‑safety goals. This session explores the institutional, technical and governance barriers to data integration, highlights international best practice, and proposes practical solutions, such as standardised data protocols, shared platforms and clearer mandates, to strengthen South Africa’s road‑safety information system.