Driver behaviour concerns as SA tops world ranking for worst driving

A recent report by online driver education platform Zutobi has labelled South African roads as the most dangerous to drive in the world.

“The report uses a rating system based on the estimated number of road deaths, reported in Global Health Observatory data. This, however, is not the only data informing the ranking,” said MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert.

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“Factors such as seat belt usage rates, alcohol-related fatalities and maximum speed limits also form part of the rating system,” he said.

After the 2024/25 festive season, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that at least 87% of road accidents were caused by factors including jaywalking, fatigue, loss of vehicle control, speed, drunken driving, and dangerous overtaking.

Herbert says, while it is easy to blame others’ reckless driving behaviour, all drivers should assess their own contribution to these statistics and improve their driving behaviour – ensuring passengers are buckled up, not drinking and driving, and avoiding speeding.

Additionally, while the report does not make mention of it, it would make sense that the condition of the country’s roads has something to do with road safety issues.

While the results from this report are shocking, it is important to be mindful that they were based on limited research.

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A total of 143 countries worldwide were not included in the survey, and South Africa was the only African country included.

“While some citizens may be left unsurprised, others may be questioning how South Africa is worse than countries with political instability, like Ukraine or major economic issues like South Sudan. This is because neither was in the study,” said Herbert.

However, this does not make the matter at hand any less significant, and serves as a stark reminder of the state of South African roads and driving behaviour.

Worrying statistics

The rate of alcohol-related road traffic deaths in South Africa is 57.5%, while Malaysia comes in at 0.1% with the lowest alcohol-related road deaths in the world.

Despite heavy penalties and consequences, 3 840 motorists were arrested for drunken driving offences over the 2024/25 festive period.

In South Africa, there are also 24.5 road traffic deaths per 100 000 people. For perspective, the global average is 6.3 per 100 000 – the lowest in the world is Norway with 1.5 per 100 000, and the highest in the world is 25.4 per 100 000 – not much higher than South Africa.

The Automobile Association (AA) has previously reported that South Africa’s seat belt-wearing rate is estimated to be below 60%.

In January, Barbara Creecy announced that at least 1 502 people had died in 1 234 fatal crashes over the 2024/25 festive season, a 5.3% increase from the previous year’s festive period.

Main causes

Zutobi says drivers should be made aware of the reasons accidents occur to avoid unnecessary fatalities – these being speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, lack of scanning, and distracted driving.

“By narrowing the list down to the major reasons, drivers can also focus specifically on not making those mistakes.

Government awareness campaigns can also help educate drivers to avoid these behaviours,” states Zutobi.

What do you think? Share your thoughts on South Africa’s dangerous road rating and on what you believe should be done to curb these issues with our resident motoring journalist by emailing kendra@zob.co.za

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