SA bags the best country title in 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards

South Africa recently won the best country title in the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards.

Unfortunately, this honour did not extend to our driving because a recent survey by Compare the Market revealed that, when compared to 19 other semi-developed and developed nations, South Africans were the worst drivers.

The news frequently includes reports of road fatalities. Over 225 people died in car crashes on the Easter long weekend alone.

The first step to correct the situation is to understand some of the causes of this alarming trend:

Most of the country’s infrastructure is damaged

Poor road maintenance and infrastructure, particularly in rural regions, are major issues.

Last year, Fikile Mbalula, the transport minister at the time, described SA’s ongoing road problems as an “intractable challenge”. Mbalula reported that the national road network was about 80% older than its 20-year design life and that 40% of the provincial network had reached the end of its design life.

Access to all transport alternatives is limited

Infrastructure generally is not up to the standard, and there are high rates of poverty and inequality and a lack of safe and affordable transportation options. More than half of fatal crashes happen to vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists. The most convenient and economical mode of transportation for most South Africans is a minibus taxi. However, local taxi culture has a terrible reputation because of the many reports of negligent driving brought on by intense market competition.

Relative tolerance of traffic laws

There must be proper enforcement of SA’s traffic laws. Drivers who, for instance, do not follow the speed limit, belt up, or use their indicators should be penalised. The penalties for breaking the regulations must be shown by the officials. Minor offences like tailgating or abruptly cutting off other drivers can create chaos and uncertainty on the road and raise the probability of crashes and injuries.

Considering a better and safer future

The government’s announcement last year that it was working on new smart licences, scheduled to be tested in October, seems a step in the right direction. The new card’s validity will increase from five to eight years. The new driver’s licence card will have enhanced security features like biometric data, holograms, and watermarks to limit fake licences and increase road safety. That they adhere to global safety standards is also promising.

The driving culture lacks ‘sharp sharp’

The mindset of SA drivers needs to change concerning safe driving practices. Many motorists treat other drivers and road users disrespectfully because they feel superior to them. They often drive dangerously or for enjoyment rather than out of necessity or duty. Every driver must follow the traffic laws and regulations, not just for their safety but also for that of other road users.

• Supplied by MiWay