Share

Govt goes to war on bad driving

Survival on the road over Easter - and other holidays - has a lot more to do with a driver's attitude than simply making sure your vehicle is road-trip ready.

More accidents are the result of speeding and dangerous driving than tyre failure.

Over Easter 2012, 181 people were killed in road accidents. Speeding, dangerous overtaking, fatigue and alcohol were the four top causes.

'ATTITUDE COULD GET YOU KILLED'

A senior insurance exec told Wheels24: “All of these point to a blatant and dangerous disregard for road rules. When you speed, get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol and do as you please on the road, you are no better than the driver at the wheel of a vehicle that’s un-roadworthy or has bald tyres.
 
“Your bad attitude on the road could get you killed.”
 
Excessive speed and alcohol abuse are major contributors to road accidents in South Africa.  Over weekends, 65% of fatal crashes are attributed to alcohol abuse, the exec said, "and it’s not just badly behaved drivers who are to blame but pedestrians, too".

'CANNOT WIN THE WAR ALONE'

Most pedestrian deaths, which account for about 53% of overall road deaths, are due to people walking while drunk. SA's road death tolling is staggeringly high with 45 deaths, 410 injuries and 25 people paralysed every day.
 
At the launch of the 2013 Easter Holiday Road Safety campaign, national transport minister Ben Martins warned that traffic cops would be out in full force to examine driver and vehicle safety as well as impound un-roadworthy vehicles.

Martins added that "government alone cannot win the war; South Africans need to play their part in making roads safer".
 
“Certainly strict law enforcement and higher penalties for breaking road rules play a role in fixing our road crisis," Dial Direct said, "but road users have the biggest role. While you’re preparing your vehicle for your holiday road trip make sure you change your attitude as well.”
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE