Recent research emphasizes the critical role of access to toilets in improving road safety across Africa. Travelling on the continent’s roads poses significant risks, with traffic fatalities accounting for approximately one quarter of global road deaths. This is particularly alarming given that Africa houses less than 4% of the world’s vehicle fleet. In sub-Saharan Africa, the road fatality rate stands at an alarming 27 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than Europe’s average of 9 and the global average of 18.
The inadequacy of road infrastructure compounds these dangers. Despite increased investments in road development, many African countries still struggle with poor road quality, as highlighted by multiple research reports, including those from the World Economic Forum and the International Monetary Fund. However, road conditions and crashes are not the only issues affecting travellers. A lack of accessible, clean, and safe toilets also significantly complicates travel across the region.
In 2020, Kenyan public interest lawyer Adrian Kamotho Njenga successfully sued local authorities to ensure the provision of toilets for travellers, underscoring the urgency of this issue. While poor toilet access is not exclusive to Africa, countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have begun to address this gap through extensive research that informs policy changes.
Dr. Festival Godwin Boateng, a senior researcher at the Transport Studies Unit at the University of Oxford, has explored this intersection of mobility and toilet access in a recent paper. He argues that improving access to toilets for drivers is crucial and can yield road safety benefits comparable to enforcing laws against drunk or fatigued driving. His examination of academic databases like Scopus revealed that this area has been largely overlooked in road safety research in Africa.
Enhancing toilet access can alleviate distractions for drivers, helping to reduce unsafe driving practices that lead to accidents. Research indicates that the physical urgency to use the bathroom can impair cognitive function and reaction times, comparable to being awake for 24 hours or having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. This level of impairment exceeds legal limits in several African nations, including Tunisia and Morocco.
The potential road safety benefits of integrating toilets into mobility systems are significant. As noted by the African Union, traffic crash losses amount to an estimated 2% of member states’ GDP annually. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of more public toilets across the continent.
Currently, about 779 million people in Africa lack reasonable access to adequate, safe, and clean toilets, according to the World Health Organization. Investing in public toilet facilities can alleviate this toilet poverty and improve the overall travel experience. In Ghana, private developers are taking the initiative by creating rest stops along highways that include toilet facilities, providing a model for other nations to consider.
While these rest stops serve as valuable resources, they are often located on the outskirts of urban areas. Many drivers and commuters in cities rely on facilities in fuel stations, hotels, and restaurants, yet little is known about their availability, safety, cleanliness, or associated costs. Researchers must investigate these aspects to better inform the public and promote awareness regarding the need for improved toilet access in mobility policies.
Raising public awareness about the importance of toilet access could drive demand for better facilities as part of transportation planning. The integration of toilets into mobility infrastructure not only addresses a basic human need but also enhances overall road safety, presenting an opportunity for positive change across the continent.
