Analysing factors contributing to road traffic accidents in South Africa

Abstract

Road Traffic accidents is a major problem worldwide even in South Africa is a leading killer on the road. Human factor is a main contributory factor to fatalities on the road as many road users are not adhering to the rules of the road. The inability of road users to understand and interpret the rules of the road is a major problem on South African roads. This article focus on preventive measures to curb factors contributing to road traffic accidents in South Africa. The article is based on a qualitatively rooted methodology including a wide range of primary and secondary sources such as documents from Road Traffic Management Corporation, academic books, articles, dissertations, thesis and reports from non-governmental organisations focusing on road safety. The article further draws on the findings from the world on road safety and formulate steps to counteract road traffic accidents in South Africa. Awareness of road safety play a critical component in changing the behaviour of the road users other than just focusing on reducing road traffic accidents. The research based key steps leading to the prevention of road traffic accidents. The first step related to increasing law enforcement officials on the road; awareness campaigns to change the behaviour of road users; capacitate law enforcement agencies with resources to address non-compliance on the road; provide anti- corruption strategies in the law enforcement agencies.