We got the stats and give you the facts on the leading causes of car accidents in South Africa
Driving in SA is no joke. From speeding taxis, pedestrians running across highways and even cows and chickens in some parts of our beautiful country – you are always taking a risk the moment you get in your car.
Of course, having car insurance should help you to breathe and of course, drive easy in knowing you are covered for crashes and costs. And vehicle insurance through an insurer that lets you choose how much of your car you want covered – and at what cost – should be a no brainer. That’s us, Oneplan, we do that.
We often don’t think that a car accident will happen to us, after all, you’re a good driver – aren’t you? Well, no matter how good of a driver you may be, there are some factors you just CANNOT CONTROL.
In the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s report for 2023/2024, they describe that human factors such as drunk driving or distraction are the primary reasons for 80,8% of fatal crashes. Following this are environmental conditions which is at 10,4% and then the vehicle conditions which is at 8.8%.
So then, what are these top 9 reasons for road accidents that seem to be more human-related compared to anything else? Let’s take a look.
9 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in South Africa
1. Distractions
Talking on your cell phone, eating, applying make up or setting up your GPS while driving are a big cause of accidents. 25% of accidents from distractions are from talking or texting while driving.
Related: What is distracted driving?
2. Drunk driving
Drunk driving is something we see on the roads on a daily basis when the guy in front of us just seems to swerve far too close to the curb, or this guy could just be a bad driver – but you get the point.
By law – your blood may not have an alcohol content of more than 0.05%; this means that just one beer could put you over the limit. This could lead to a R2 000 fine or even prison and a criminal record – or worse, you could cause a tragic accident.
3. Speeding
The severity of the crash is directly impacted by the speed at which you are driving. When you are speeding, you might not have enough time to stop and speed also impacts the safety of your vehicle, meaning your injuries are far worse when hitting something at high speed.
4. Reckless driving
This ties into high speeds, skipping robots, not stopping at stop signs – things we see every day but should not be condoned in any way!
5. Pedestrians
Pedestrians have been known to cause some havoc on our roads. In 2016 alone there were 5140 pedestrian deaths from cars hitting them, compared to 408 passengers and 360 drivers of the reported road accidents. Always keep an eye out for pedestrian crossings, and pedestrians crossing (get it?).
Discover: 5 Simple and Interesting Facts About Car Airbags
6. Weather
This one is pretty obvious, even the best drivers struggle to drive well in a rainstorm. And we are not the only ones who think that everyone seems to forget how to drive the moment a few drops of water hit the roads. But the thing is – rains lead to slippery roads and this leads to accidents. So, drive slowly and turn on your lights in bad weather.
7. Potholes
Potholes are a major issue in South Africa. And although the government has said they have a plan and budget to fix them, you need to keep your eyes open for these!
8. Tyres
You should always have your tyre pressure and tyre tread checked – the wrong pressure or worn tread can lead to blowouts which cause accidents.
9. Brakes
Did you know that faulty brakes lead to nearly 10% of fatal crashes on our roads? Make sure your brakes are ALWAYS working and checked for their condition by a professional on a regular basis.
Read next: How to Tell if Your Brake Pads Need Replacing: 5 Important Signs
We care about your safety, so stay alert, drive carefully and please – now that you know the leading causes of car accidents in South Africa – just follow the rules of the road.
Your Insurance Family,
Oneplan
