By Chris Coetzee, Health and Safety consultant, OHSS
At the recent FEM ‘Safetember’ Conference, MVA (Motor Vehicle Accidents) was discussed at length with a panel of specialists as well as the Department of Employment and Labour giving the Health and Safety Industry a renewed drive to prevent these incidents at all costs. So, what did I learn, and what other research did I find? Let’s take a look.
Driving is not a time to take a selfie. Image by Freepik
On average, over 1.35 million people die and another 50 million are seriously injured on the world’s roads due to MVAs. South Africa has a very number of road accidents making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to drive. These statistics should make each one of us stop and think about what that means. What does Road Safety, Occupational Health and Safety as well as our Personal Safety have in common.
At the FEM ‘Safetember’ Conference as well as in the FEM Health and Safety Magazine 2024, the focus on driver and road safety showed that although there are varying causes, human factors were the major contributor, as many road users do not follow the road traffic rules.
Research from CARMAG stated that according to accident claims data from 2023, the Northern Cape, Free state and Limpopo are the three provinces with the lowest number of accident claims. Which is logical considering the number of registered vehicles on the roads in these provinces.
Additionally, East London, Rustenburg, Centurion, and Pietermaritzburg were highlighted as cities with the lowest accident claims in 2023. In contrast, the provinces with the highest number of accident claims, in ascending order, were KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng. In terms of the cities with the “worst” drivers, again in ascending order, were Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
Interestingly, over the last two years, several provinces’ number of accident claims has increased. Mpumalanga saw a 31% increase, the Western Cape rose by 22%, and Gauteng increased by 22%. Budget Insurance has also highlighted the increases in various cities, such as Centurion increased by 54%, Rustenburg experienced an increase of 39%, and Cape Town’s accident claim figures by 36%.
South Africa is part of the consortium of nations that signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations members in 2015. The aim of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Target 3.6 was to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. But as we can see from the statistics, there is a rise is Motor Vehicle Accidents each year.
Poor road safety has impacted work-related fatalities and injuries because workers travel to and between sites. Between 2019 and 2023, 91% of fatal MVA’s took place on public roads. 3% of all fatal MVA’s occurred within closed construction sites.
Ok so enough of statistics. You get the point: road safety impacts occupational health and safety as well as our own personal safety. So, what can be done?
Don’t multitask while driving. Image by Freepik
Here are a few basic tips from the Automobile Association to motorists who drive on highways, especially novice drivers who may be unfamiliar with the roads.
Keep your car in good condition. The highway is a bad place to breakdown. Remember any roadside assistance services will also need to negotiate the same heavy traffic to get to you. Make sure your engine, brakes, tyres, and indicators are all working properly.
Keep calm while driving. Driving on a highway can be stressful but it is vital that you remain as calm as possible during your journey. Also be confident on the road, and drive like you belong there. Remember, too, that if you constantly apply your brakes unnecessarily you will create a concertina effect of stopping behind you, which is one of the biggest causes of traffic snarl-ups.
Know your route. If you have never driven on a highway before, it’s important that you practice first. Pick a date and time when the road is likely to be least busy such as a weekend. Also listen to local traffic reports and monitor social media for possible problems on your route. If you are an experienced driver, have a back-up route if possible.
Know the rules of the road. Rules are there to protect everyone, and it’s important that we all obey them. Understand the markings on the road, and when you can, or cannot, change lanes. Also always indicate your intentions by using your indicators, that’s what they are there for.
Learn to operate your car at low speeds. Highway driving is not always about fast driving; many times, the road is congested, and cars travel at slow speeds. Make sure you know how to drive at a slow speed, and in start-stop traffic.
Enter the highway safely. When merging with traffic always check your rearview mirror and side mirrors and check your blind spots to ensure it is safe to join. Always use your indicators and enter the traffic at the same speed as flowing traffic. Driving too slowly or too fast can cause problems, so always be alert.
Put away all electronic devices. Driving on a highway requires your full attention. Do not be distracted with cell phones, or any other electronic devices. Be respectful of other drivers who also want to reach their destinations safely and on time. Texting while driving is extremely dangerous.
Being on the phone while driving is distracting. Image by Freepik
Keep a safe following distance. It’s not always possible, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but maintain as safe a distance as possible from the car in front of you. Drive according to the conditions of the road and remember you are not there to enforce the rules of the road, only to obey them. Also be aware that you may travel some stretches with a clear road ahead of you, but suddenly find heavy traffic further up. Always be alert to this, and make sure you leave enough room to slow down and stop if necessary.
Always wear your seat belt. Just because highway traffic is slow it doesn’t mean that you can unlock your seat belt. Remain in your seat belt throughout your journey and remember that your passengers also need to be secured. It’s the law that toddlers under three must be in a car seat.
Insure yourself and your car. Only around 35% of all cars in South Africa are insured. If you are in an incident there you have a 65% chance of having to foot the bill for any damages yourself. Investigate insurance options and cover yourself and your vehicle.
References: FEM Health and Safety Magazine | Carmag | Automobile Association
| ”Road safety remains the responsibility of road users. Lawlessness, or a failure to adhere to traffic rules, is a significant contributor to driving behaviours that endanger all road users. Everyone is required to obey traffic rules to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. Furthermore, law enforcement officials must also implement traffic laws at all times to ensure consistency.” – FEM |
