The decrease in road fatalities during the recent festive period compared to the previous period is encouraging and welcoming, despite an apparent anomaly with the quoted figures.
However, the Automobile Association (AA) says the number of deaths on South African roads remains too high and requires urgent intervention.
Outgoing Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced during the festive period from December 1, 2022, to January 11, 2023, 1 451 people died on South African roads, a 14% reduction in the number of fatalities compared to the same period in 2021/2022.
There are some concerning elements about these numbers, however. Firstly, the official recorded number of fatalities by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) over the 2021/2022 period was 1 808, not 1 685. Secondly, the recorded 1 451 fatalities are too high to be regarded as a gain in terms of road safety.
The AA says it remains concerned that traffic law enforcement focuses on seasonal campaigns – especially around Easter and the end-of-year holiday – instead of being equally visible throughout the year.
Nonetheless, Minister Mbalula has emphasised the importance of law enforcement in combating road accidents.
In 2019, the government-appointed Traffic Law Enforcement Review Committee called for a doubling of traffic law enforcers. But to date, there is nothing that suggests the implementation of this recommendation, says the AA.
The AA further says that while the government notes that road crashes cost the economy close to R2 billion annually, the government is not doing enough to improve the situation.
Road accidents in South Africa are a serious concern, with statistics showing high rates of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. According to data from the South African Department of Transport, there were 14 053 reported road fatalities in South Africa in 2020.
The number represents a slight decrease from the previous year, but road accidents and injuries remain alarmingly high.
One of the leading causes of road accidents in South Africa is reckless and negligent driving. Many drivers engage in dangerous behaviours such as speeding, tailgating, and failing to obey traffic signals, which can result in serious collisions.
In addition, a significant number of accidents are caused by drunk driving, with alcohol being a major contributor to fatal accidents.
Another major factor in South Africa's high road accident rate is the poor condition of the roads, with many of them in a state of disrepair, with potholes, uneven surfaces and lack of proper signage and lighting contributing to accidents.
Furthermore, the high number of unlicensed drivers and unroadworthy vehicles on the roads also increases the risk of accidents.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are also at high risk of being involved in road accidents in South Africa. These vulnerable road users go unnoticed by drivers who fail to give them the right of way, often leading to accidents.
The statistics also show a disproportionate impact of road accidents in South Africa. For example, young people between the ages of 15 and 34 are at a higher risk of being involved in an accident, as are men compared to women.
“The number of fatalities remains alarmingly high year-on-year and shows no signs of decreasing meaningfully. While we applaud the dedication of traffic law enforcers around the country, particularly during peak travel times, we believe an increase in funding and resourcing of traffic law enforcement is essential to ensure a significant drop in crashes and fatalities,” concludes the AA.
The high rate of road accidents in South Africa has a significant socioeconomic impact. In addition to the human cost of injuries and fatalities, accidents result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs.
Despite these challenges, there are mechanisms to reduce the number of road accidents in South Africa. One of the most important is the quality of the roads and infrastructure. This includes repairing potholes and other hazards, improving signage and lighting, and increasing the number of traffic officers.
Another pivotal step is to increase the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations.
