…Researched and contributed by Femi Taiwo.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has revealed that reckless and negligent driving were the main cause of road fatalities over the Easter period.
During a briefing on April 14, Chikunga released the official statistics which showed that human factors, which include reckless and negligent driving, were the most prominent contributing factor in all fatalities at 96.2%, followed by road and environmental factors at 4.5%, while vehicle factors were the least contributor at 1.1%.
Reckless Driving and High Number of Incompetent Drivers
Chikunga expressed her concern at the unacceptably high contribution of human factors, which reflects the poor driving habits of motorists and is also a reflection of the high number of incompetent drivers on the roads.
She highlighted the need to scale up anti-corruption interventions, including the use of technology, such as the computerised learner licence testing sheets and the smart DLTs, which will be rolled out throughout the country.
Pedestrians Account for Majority of Fatalities
Of the high number of road users who perished on South African roads, pedestrians accounted for 44.4% of all fatalities, followed by passengers at 27.7%, drivers at 25.6%, cyclists at 1.3%, while the road user status of 1% could not be determined.
The highest number of pedestrians died in collisions that happened in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Time and Type of Accidents
The highest number of fatalities occurred on Friday, and the lowest number was recorded on Thursday.
Most of the fatalities occurred at 15:00 and 22:00 and were predominantly characterized by hit-and-run crashes, single vehicle overturned, pedestrian collisions, and head-on collisions.
Commentary:
The release of official statistics by the Transport Minister in South Africa highlights the issue of reckless driving and its impact on road fatalities.
The high contribution of human factors reflects the need for better driving habits and the reduction of incompetent drivers on the roads.
The use of technology, such as computerised learner licence testing sheets and smart DLTs, is seen as one way to scale up anti-corruption interventions.
The high number of pedestrian fatalities, particularly in collisions that occurred in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, underscores the importance of road safety measures that prioritize the safety of pedestrians.
The time and type of accidents, predominantly characterized by hit-and-run crashes, single vehicle overturned, pedestrian collisions, and head-on collisions, provide further insights into the specific areas that require targeted interventions to reduce road fatalities in South Africa.