Don't be a Road Accident Statistic this Holiday

 

The major contributory fatal and disabling factors to fatal accidents are the following:

  • Unsafe crossing of roads (Pedestrians)

  • Drinking and walking (Pedestrians)

  • Drinking and Driving

  • Speeding

  • General reckless, inconsiderate, negligent and aggressive driver behaviour

  • Ignoring of traffic signals and other traffic signs

  • Tyre bursts

  • Fatigue

  • Unsafe overtaking

  • Poor vehicle maintenance: brakes, lights, steering and tyres

  • Unsafe following distances

Statistics over the period of 2001 and 2002 have indicated that pedestrians jaywalking and high speeds played a major role in fatal accidents during both years. Pedestrians jaywalking as a contributory factor in accidents has increased, as did speeding as a factor.

Pedestrians are the single largest group of road users who lose their lives, and are thus the most vulnerable. A pedestrian hit at 65 kph has a very small chance of survival of 10%, and if they do survive, injuries will be very serious, and probably result in permanent disability. At a little over this speed, there is NO chance of survival at all. Hence, the vast majority of pedestrians hit by vehicles on national roads do not survive.

International research indicates that a reduction in speed is the quickest way to lower road carnage. This is supported by looking at South African statistics for 1973 when the oil crisis resulted in the lowering of speed limits to 80 kph. The number of fatalities and serious and disabling injuries dropped markedly during this period of strict enforcement due to the need to save fuel.

With regard to other driver offences unsafe/illegal overtaking has increased, as did the turning in front of oncoming traffic.

With regard to alcohol as a contributory factor, the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 46,5% of all drivers killed in crashes during 2001 and 2002 exceeded the legal limit of 0,05 g/ml while 9,5% consumed more than 5 times than the legal limit. The BAC of 57,1% of pedestrians killed in crashes exceeded the legal limit while 24,7% consumed more than 5 times the legal limit of alcohol. The level of alcohol in your blood can depend on many factors including body size, gender and general health. Generally, if you have more than 2 malts or 2 tots of spirits, you are likely to be over the legal limit.

The Department wishes all road users a 
SAFE 
journey this holiday season.

 

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