The number of car accidents in South Africa is high, with an average of one every ten minutes. There are many reasons there are so many accidents in South Africa. Some of these include bad roads, a lack of discipline and a lack of concern for other people’s safety. South African drivers have been known to drive while drunk, without seatbelts on or while talking on the phone.
How common are road accidents over the holidays in South Africa?
Road accidents are a major concern in South Africa, especially during the holiday season. The latest statistics from the Department of Transport show that there were over 2 million cases of road accidents between 2016 and 2018. The number of road accidents increased by about 10% over the holidays, with approximately 85% of these being because of human error.
Is South Africa’s road accident rate decreasing?
The South African National Road Traffic Act (1996) states that the maximum speed limit for a motor vehicle is 120 km/h. This law was introduced to reduce the risk of road accidents and make the roads safer.
Despite this, the number of road accidents in South Africa has increased by 6% since 2010. In 2016, there were over 16 000 fatalities from car crashes and over 200 000 injuries. The main cause of these accidents is speeding and alcohol consumption, which is why it is important to enforce stricter laws and penalties for both.
