Hit the road, take your life in your hands
As the holiday season traffic death toll soars towards 800, a survey has found South Africa’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world.
Earlier this year Zutobi, an online driver education platform based in the UK, published a report that out of 53 countries surveyed, South Africa was the most dangerous to drive in, with an estimated 22.2 road traffic deaths per 100,000 individuals.
It also has the highest incidence of drunk driving-related fatalities, at 57.5%.
Norway, Hungary and Iceland were the three safest countries, according to the research, which looked at highway speed limits, blood-alcohol concentration thresholds for drivers and road traffic fatalities.
South Africa’s bottom-of-the-table ranking marked the third year in a row that it fared worst. Keeping it company at the bottom of the log this year were Thailand, the US, Argentina and India.
Last week, national transport minister Sindiswe Chikunga said more than 750 people have died in traffic accidents since the start of the festive season.
“Drivers should always be on high alert on any road. We are still seeing too many serious and fatal crashes caused mainly by poor driver behaviour and choices. These include drunk driving and walking, drivers being distracted, speeding, dangerous overtaking, and drivers being fatigued,” said Vusi Mona, spokesperson for the South African National Roads Agency.
Traffic volumes picked up on December 15, particularly on the N1, N3, N4, N12 and R573 Moloto Road all of which are classified as high-mobility routes, Mona said.
“Some will be using the N1, which connects Cape Town with Johannesburg and Pretoria, and continues to the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe,” Mona said. “The N2 along the Garden Route between the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape is likely to see increased traffic volumes as migrant workers in the Western Cape make their way home to the Eastern Cape.”
In January, then transport minister Fikile Mbalula said more than 1,400 people died on the roads during the 2022/23 festive season. Mbalula said most fatalities were recorded between December 15 and 28 last year.
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) said the anticipated increase in traffic volumes on major routes across the country necessitates heightened vigilance on the part of road users.
“Speed limits are not targets, and seat belts are not mere accessories. Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and even motorbike riders should refrain from using electronic devices. Everyone, including front-seat passengers, must remain attentive on the road. Unless everyone collectively makes an effort to prioritise safety on our roads, the concerning road safety statistics in our country will persist,” said the AA.
Thania Dhoogra, operations manager of the N3
Toll Concession (N3TC), responsible for managing the 415km section of road between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng, said 81% of crashes on the route are caused by driver error.
Vehicle breakdowns including tyre bursts and brake failures, accounting for 9% of accidents are major contributing factors to both light motor vehicle and truck crashes on that section of the N3, Dhoogra said.
“The majority of crashes on the route stem from single-vehicle incidents, a direct consequence of human errors such as negligent driving, speeding, distractions, a general lack of concentration, and/or driver fatigue,” she said, emphasising the importance of motorists taking regular breaks for rest.
Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association, said the sector had tried to deliver goods in November, before the festive season, to limit the number of trucks on the road during the holiday period.
But he said this was not always possible, as perishable goods still had to be delivered and products such as fuel also needed to be transported.
However, he said, where possible, truck volumes have been reduced.
Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane said traffic police are out on the roads setting up and managing roadblocks and other festive season operations.
Boots are on the ground and there will be zero tolerance for drunken driving, speeding, driving without a licence and driving an unroadworthy vehicle, Zwane said.