Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
28 March 2025 | 14:00 CAT
2 min read

For the second year in a row, South Africa has been ranked as the most dangerous country in the world to drive in. The latest report, compiled by international road safety group Zutobi, used data from the Global Health Observatory to assess road fatalities, and South Africa once again topped the list.

While many South Africans may not be surprised by the ranking, the implications remain serious, especially with the upcoming Easter holiday season, a period notorious for road accidents.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Advocate Johan Jonck, a board member of the Road Safety Partnership, explained the dire state of the country’s roads.

According to Jonck, the overwhelming majority of road accidents in South Africa can be traced back to human error. “If we look at the data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation, about 85% of road deaths in South Africa can be attributed to human error, you know, human behavior. About 10% would be road and vehicle factors and about 5% to 7% environmental factors. But still, human error, human behaviour remains the biggest problem,” he said.

Among the most concerning issues, Jonck noted, are reckless overtaking, head-on collisions, and sheer lawlessness on the roads. “If I look at, for instance, another report, not only on road data but on crime statistics, it kind of makes sense for me. You know, in none of these countries where we have got a lot safer roads do we find that we have so many arrests made during the week for various offenses,” he said.

Alcohol a Major Contributor

One of the leading factors in South Africa’s high road fatality rate is alcohol consumption. Despite numerous public awareness campaigns and law enforcement crackdowns, many drivers continue to drink and drive.

Jonck stressed that this issue doesn’t just affect drivers but also pedestrians. “Every year, every Easter, every end-of-year festive season, about forty percent of road deaths are pedestrians, which is a massive number. And a lot of these pedestrians are also intoxicated. So alcohol plays a big part, not only amongst the drivers but also amongst the pedestrians,” he said.

The culture of impunity when it comes to drinking and driving remains a significant obstacle to road safety. “People drink excessively, and they still go onto the road. And they think that if they get pulled over, they can get away with a bribe. So we also have to look at stuff like, for instance, your, you know, your corruption. People don’t think that there’s a big consequence for their actions,” he added.

The Zutobi survey analysed data from 53 countries, including developed and developing nations. South Africa ranked worse than Thailand, the United States, Argentina, and India—countries that share some of its socio-economic challenges.

Jonck acknowledged that the survey had limitations, particularly in that it did not include many African countries. However, he emphasised that South Africa’s road safety crisis is undeniable. “Whatever the stats may say, if we look at, for instance, the seat belt wearing that is always also referred to, there are things that we can do. We can definitely reduce road deaths. If we focus on seat belt wearing, if we focus on pedestrian safety, and if we focus on effective enforcement, we can drastically reduce our road deaths,” he said.

The Need for a Cultural Shift in Road Safety

While government campaigns and law enforcement are crucial in addressing road safety, Jonck believes real change will only happen when a culture of responsibility takes root in South African society.

“Road safety is not a light switch. It doesn’t help for a minister to say ahead of a festive season or a long weekend, ‘Right, now we’re going to focus on road safety.’ It needs to be a 24/7 thing,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of starting with children and instilling safe road habits from an early age. He also pointed out that simple habits like ensuring all passengers are buckled up could save lives. “If you are in a car, if you are with a driver, you can ensure that all your passengers are buckled in. Not in order to avoid a possible traffic fine, but to ensure that they are safe if something happens,” he added.

With the Easter holiday season approaching, Jonck urged South Africans to be more mindful on the roads. “If you know that there are so many road deaths, then you actually need to ensure that you are prepared for emergencies, that you drive slower, that you give yourself the time and the space to react in an emergency situation,” he said.

As South Africa once again finds itself at the bottom of global road safety rankings, the need for urgent action, both from the government and everyday road users, has never been clearer.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Advocate Johan Jonck, a Board member of the Road Safety Partnership, here.