Among 56 countries surveyed early this year South Africa was ranked as the most dangerous in which to drive.
11 November 2022 - 06:00Freedom beckons. Have you started counting down the days yet? In just under five weeks — on December 15 — most industries will close for the holidays and we’ll all be freeeeeeeeeeeee! Many of us will drive to the coast or the bush or the mountains for a well-earned family break. Many more will stay home and enjoy Christmas with a braai and a few drinks.It’s a time to make memories.
A daily crawling commute to and from work on your own does not prepare you for a five-hour sprint to Durban with a boisterous family on board — and certainly not for a 14-hour trek to Cape Town. I remember once, on a particularly hot summer’s day in the southern Free State, pulling alongside a slowing car, to find four members of a family all fast asleep — including the father, who was driving.
About 40% of those who died last year were pedestrians. That’s almost twice the 23% international rate of pedestrian deaths, as calculated by the World Health Organisation. Of South Africa’s dead, about 75% were men, 38% were people aged 25-35 and a dreadful 17% were children aged four or younger.Weekends, not surprisingly, are the worst time for accidents throughout the year. According to the RTMC, 45.3% of 2021 fatal crashes happened on Saturdays and Sundays.
South Africa’s seat belt record is one of the worst, but its booze death record leaves everyone in the shade. The incidence of alcohol-related deaths is 50% more than the second-placed country, and 10 times that of several others. Young people are particularly at risk during the coming festive season, he says. He quotes the Arrive Alive campaign, which says young drivers are 20 times more likely than their elders to cause accidents through drunk driving or speeding.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa: Kenyans to Enjoy Visa-Free Entry to South Africa Starting Jan 1Kenyans will enjoy visa-free entry to South Africa starting January 1 2023 for a maximum of 90 days annually.
Read more »
Africa Live: South Africa civil servants go on strike over wages - BBC NewsGhana's Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is under increasing pressure as annual inflation rate hits 40.4% for October. More ➡️
Read more »
Africa: Terrorism Intensifying Across Africa, Exploiting Instability and ConflictThe growth of terrorism is a major threat to international peace and security, currently felt most keenly in Africa, the deputy UN chief told the Security Council on Thursday.
Read more »
Africa: President Macron Unveils New Africa Military Strategy As Operation Barkhane EndsFrench President Emmanuel Macron has announced the end of its Barkhane anti-jihadist mission in Africa after over a decade, saying a new strategy would be worked out with African partners.
Read more »
Africa: Global Energy Alliance Agenda For Clean Energy Takes Shape in Africa"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." This is Sustainable Development Goal 7, which Africa is unlikely to meet because it does not yet have the $190 billion of investment a year between 2026 and 2030 the continent needs. Two-thirds of that amount will go to clean energy, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
Read more »
The most popular loyalty programmes in South Africa in 2022South Africans love loyalty programmes – so much so that they’re seemingly loyal to anyone who has the right rewards on offer.
Read more »