Polo drivers are the worst, according to study
Three car models are involved in the most car accidents - and get the most traffic fines.
Volkswagen Polo drivers are the worst drivers on the road, according to a study by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
According to the study, titled ‘South African Fatal Crashes in Context’, Polos, Toyota Hiluxes, and Quantums are the vehicles involved in the most fatal crashes in the country.
They also accounted for the highest number of speeding fines.
These vehicle models were reportedly involved in 43.2% of fatal crashes.
The study, which was published last month, analysed fatal crash data from October 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021.
Aarto speed infringement data from January 1, 2019 to June 20, 2021, was also analysed.
“A total of 48 330 vehicles were involved in 37 583 fatal crashes with 45 232 deaths during the period according to data on the RTMC’s national crash data management system,” spokesperson Simon Zwane said.
He said Polos had contributed to 16.7% of all fatal crashes, “confirming what many South Africans have long suspected”.
“It was followed closely by the Toyota Hilux, which was involved in 14.2% of fatal crashes and the Toyota Quantum with a recorded 12.2% involvement in fatal crashes,” Zwane said.
These three vehicles were also said to have accounted for the highest number of speed fines issued by both the Tshwane and Johannesburg metro police departments, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and the national traffic police.
“A total of 35% of speed infringement fines were issued to these three vehicle models in the period under review even though they constituted 335 of the total vehicle population,” he said.
Zwane added that the high number of speed infringements by these car models was “unacceptable and needs to be addressed”.
“Although it is expected that public transport vehicles will be involved in crashes because they are on the road on a semi full-time basis and travel more vehicle kilometres compared to other vehicle models, their contribution to fatalities remains unacceptably high considering that they constitute a mere 3.3% of the total vehicle population,” he said.
Zwane further said that the study found that Polo and Quantum vehicles aged between five to 10 years were involved in most fatal crashes when ranked by the grouping of the vehicle make, model and age.
“The report will inform further research that will provide input towards reducing death and injuries because of road crashes,” he said.
The full report is available on the RTMC website: www.rtmc.co.za.
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