WHO estimated road traffic fatalities (95% CI, 2021)
295 (248 - 342)
↑
WHO estimated rate per 100,000 population (2021)
24.7
↑
Key Insight: The number of reported and WHO-estimated road traffic fatalities has increased since 2021, indicating a growing road safety challenge in Eswatini.
Safe Road Infrastructure
Indicator
Data
Trend
Total paved kilometers (2021)
3,696
N/A
Technical standards for road safety
Yes
N/A
Systematic approaches to assess new roads
Yes
N/A
National law requiring road safety inspection
No
N/A
Target for roads to meet safety standards
No
N/A
Investments to upgrade high-risk locations
No
N/A
Key Insight: Eswatini has technical standards and systematic approaches for assessing new roads, but lacks formal road safety inspection laws and targeted investments to improve high-risk areas.
Safe Vehicles
Indicator
Data
Trend
Total registered vehicles (rate per 100,000 pop, 2021)
16,230 [1,361.3]
↓
Four-wheel vehicles
12,542
↓
Heavy trucks
755
↓
Buses
171
↓
Other
2,258
↓
Legislation on periodic vehicle technical inspection
Yes
N/A
National laws on front and side impact protection
No
N/A
National laws on seat-belt and anchorages
Yes
N/A
National law on electronic stability control
No
N/A
National law on pedestrian protection
No
N/A
National law on anti-lock braking systems
No
N/A
Government procurement includes safety prerequisites
No
N/A
High-quality safety standards for used-vehicle imports
Yes
N/A
Key Insight: While there is legislation for periodic vehicle inspections and seat belts, Eswatini lacks laws on advanced vehicle safety features and government procurement safety standards. The number of registered vehicles has decreased since 2021.
Post-Crash Response
Indicator
Data
Trend
National law on universal access to emergency care
No
N/A
National law on free rehabilitative care
Yes
N/A
National law on free psychological services for crash victims
No
N/A
National good Samaritan law
No
N/A
National emergency care access number
Single national number
N/A
Target for time between serious crash and initial care
-
N/A
Key Insight: Eswatini provides free rehabilitative care but lacks universal access to emergency care and psychological services. There is a national emergency number, but no specific targets for emergency response times.
Agencies coordinating pre-hospital and emergency services
Yes, national
N/A
Key Insight: Eswatini has a national lead agency for road safety but lacks a comprehensive national strategy and adherence to UN conventions. Funding is available but limited.
Road User Behaviour
Speed Limits
Indicator
Data
Trend
Legislation on urban speed limits
Yes
=
Maximum urban speed limit
100 km/h
=
Maximum rural speed limit
100 km/h
=
Maximum motorway speed limit
100 km/h
=
Local authorities can modify limits
Yes
=
Targets to reduce speeds nationally
No
N/A
Enforcement methods
Automatic
#
Drink Driving
Indicator
Data
Trend
National law on drink-driving
Yes
=
BAC limit – general population
≤ 0.05 g/dl
=
BAC limit – young or novice drivers
≤ 0.05 g/dl
=
Random breath testing
No
=
Targets to reduce driving after drinking
No
N/A
Distracted Driving
Indicator
Data
Trend
Legislation on distracted driving
Yes
N/A
Ban on mobile phone use
Handheld
=
Targets to reduce distracted driving
National
N/A
Helmets
Indicator
Data
Trend
National motorcycle helmet law
Yes
=
Legislation requires helmet fastening
Yes
=
Applies to drivers and passengers
Yes
=
Applies to all road types
Yes
=
Applies to all engine types
Yes
=
Helmet standard specified
Yes
=
Targets to increase helmet use
Yes, national
N/A
Helmet wearing rate (Driver; Passenger)
99%; 99%
N/A
Seat Belts
Indicator
Data
Trend
National seat-belt law
Yes
=
Applies to front and rear occupants
Not all
=
Targets to increase seat belt use
Yes, national
N/A
Seat-belt wearing rate (Drivers; Front; Rear)
50%; 70%; 5%
N/A
Child Restraint Systems
Indicator
Data
Trend
National child restraints use law
Yes
Yes
Children in front seat
No
=
Age/height specified for child restraints
-
C
Child restraint standard specified
Yes
Yes
Targets to increase child safety use
Yes, national
N/A
Key Insight: Eswatini has legislation on helmet use with high compliance rates but lacks comprehensive laws on child restraints and seat belts for all occupants. There is no specific target for reducing speeding or distracted driving.
National Data Systems
Indicator
Data
Trend
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (2021)
Group 4
=
Frequency and distribution of journeys by modal type
No
N/A
Speeding violations and related injuries/fatalities
Yes
N/A
Driving under influence of alcohol/drugs and related fatalities/injuries
Yes
N/A
Seat belt and child-restraint use
No
N/A
Powered 2- and 3-wheelers helmet use
No
N/A
Mobile phone use while driving
No
N/A
Key Insight: Data collection on seat belt and child-restraint use is lacking, while data on speeding and alcohol/drug-related incidents is available. The country is in Group 4 for civil registration and vital statistics.
Summary of Key Findings
Road Safety Burden: Fatality rates have increased, with a significant proportion of fatalities occurring among pedestrians.
Infrastructure: Technical standards and systematic assessments are in place, but formal inspection laws and targeted upgrades are absent.
Vehicles: Seat belt and helmet laws are present, but enforcement and coverage are inconsistent. No laws on advanced vehicle safety features.
Post-Crash Care: Free rehabilitative care is available, but universal access to emergency care is lacking.
Institutional Framework: A lead agency exists, but no national strategy or adherence to UN conventions.
User Behaviour: Speed limits are set, but no targets for reduction. Drink driving and distracted driving are regulated, but enforcement is limited.
