Why is South Africa one of the worlds most dangerous countries to drive in?

11 Responses to Why is South Africa one of the worlds most dangerous countries to drive in?

1. Road Runner says:

   November 23, 2009 at 1:35 pm

   Two words – Minibus Taxis.

   The drivers of these taxis have no respect for law or human life whatsoever.

   The problem is that we have good laws in place, but they do not get enforced.
   References :
2. cakes says:

   November 23, 2009 at 2:25 pm

   Another three words: Fake driving licences, driving without licences..
   References :
3. Hennie says:

   November 23, 2009 at 2:35 pm

   Most minibus taxi drivers cannot see in three dimensions, just look at some of their "art". Everything is all "plakked" on top of each other .
   Now add to this, the fact that they are used to hanging onto branches as opposed to steering wheels and the fact that they are often all liquored up on sorghum beer and/or high on dagga, and you have your answer!
   References :
4. Lindsay R says:

   November 23, 2009 at 2:57 pm

   Taxis.
   Corrupt testing stations selling driver’s licences.
   Shortage of traffic officers, because most traffic officers sit behind bushes ambushing drivers, instead of patrolling.
   Just plain stupid drivers.
   Bad road infrastructure, eg. congested roads, potholes, etc.
   I could go on and on…
   References :
   Lark
5. Skyli says:

   November 23, 2009 at 3:30 pm

   Because taxis and Minibus drivers learnt to drive on the Play station!!
   References :
6. cheri says:

   November 23, 2009 at 4:10 pm

   Fake licenses and drivers and taxi’ drivers is colorblind as well – or they don’t know a red light mean you are suppose to stop
   References :
7. varklise says:

   November 23, 2009 at 4:28 pm

   Yes, old vehicles on the roads, bad roads and road surfaces, pot holes every where, a lot of drivers do not have valid drivers licenses and then again like every one else said here the minibus taxis.
   References :
8. turniton6 says:

   November 23, 2009 at 4:37 pm

   Yes, this is true, there are something like 12 000 deaths a year.

   Going according to the number of vehicles on the road and the number of deaths, SA has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world. The statistics are all the more disconcerting because the actual ratio of vehicles to people is low compared to most countries outside of Africa.

   Some contributing factors:
   Many buy legal but meaningless licenses from their homeland states, or simply drive unlicensed (statistics say 40% but realistically much higher).

   Many drive drunk and/or fatigued and/or drugged.

   Many disobey speed limits.

   Vehicles Are Overloaded – usually mini-bus taxis, or heavy transport work vehicles (often for private use – many times with small children).

   Many drive unroadworthy vehicles, often with bald tyres and dysfunctional braking mechanisms.

   Lack of maintenance of infrastructure.

   In summation:
   There is a lack of maturity and respect for the law and fellow citizens.
   References :
9. redhead says:

   November 23, 2009 at 4:55 pm

   Yes – other than the mini bus taxis – our laws for the road are hardly enforced / offenders aren’t punished enough, so people are always speeding, overtaking on solid lines, driving in emergency lanes to overtake, drunk driving etc bla bla
   References :
10. Gerald Crawford in Stellenbosch says:

    November 23, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    Well keep in mind that the roads might be good, the drivers are not, driving licences can be bought, driving without licences, average cars on south african rads are 7 years old and no mandatory car insurance.
    References :
11. styviesblu says:

    November 23, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Yes, its very true.
    And if ppl think its just the taxi drivers alone, theyre dead wrong.
    There is a general lack of respect for the rules of the road in this country, displayed by most parts of the population.
    Drivers in general have a "Me First" attitude, meaning you’ll see lots of reckless lane changes, skipping stop streets, cars charging thru orange lights etc.
    Drivers are speed-obsessed and dont understand the dangers of driving drunk.
    Couple all that with an inneffective traffic police, an antiquited substandard licensing procedure (we ‘drive’ according to the k53 method; try searching for it, you will find SA is the only country to use it) if they even HAVE a license (getting a license is such a mess that it makes getting an illegal one very attractive) and that can only spell one thing:
    we must be the worlds WORST drivers.
    References :
    http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=k53&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
    (Check for co.za)
    Can’t even find K53 on wikipedia.

    Autodealer reader
    http://www.autodealer.co.za/index.php

    Read some of these articles in the autoeditorial page to get a general feeling of the state SA roads are in.