Five dangers of speeding on South Africa’s roads
Speeding in relation to road safety in South Africa is a big talking point as every year the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) publishes the number of fatalities on our roads. Reckless driving caused by driving at a high speed is a big contributing factor towards the death toll. In 2022, BusinessTech reported over 1400 died during […]
Speeding in relation to road safety in South Africa is a big talking point as every year the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) publishes the number of fatalities on our roads.
Reckless driving caused by driving at a high speed is a big contributing factor towards the death toll. In 2022, BusinessTech reported over 1400 died during the period between 1 December and 11 January, commonly referred to as the festive season.
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SPEEDING IN URBAN AREAS IS A PROBLEM WITH 40% OF ROAD FATALATIES BEING PEDESTRIANS
1. Driving at a high speed increases the severity of injury in a road crash.
2. Higher speeds require a greater distance to bring a vehicle to a stop.
3. Driving at a high speed reduces the time available to react and prevent a crash.
4. Driving recklessly at higher speeds increase the risk of being involved in a fatal crash.
5. Driving at a high speed reduces the assistance offered by a seatbelt and airbag.
Remember that warnings are not all about Speeding – It is Also About the dangers of UNSAFE speed for Traffic, Road and Weather conditions!! https://t.co/gf70H0jiny #ArriveAlive #Speed pic.twitter.com/te3pmhp5K1
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 13, 2023
The South African spoke exclusively to Johan Jonck, Editor of the Arrive Alive road safety website.
Jonck said: “I believe it is important not to over emphasize the speed limit – but the need to adjust our speed to a safe speed! we focus so much on driving at high speed offences – that we neglect to emphasise that the speed limit might not always be a safe speed!”
He said: “In South Africa we often find a sudden increase in road crashes when it start to rain – and this is because we are unable to adjust and lower speed! I also believe we need to “Think South African”.
“Sadly 40% of pedestrian fatalities should mean that we need to adjust speed in areas of pedestrian activity. The same applies to the presence of animals on our roads as well as the criminal component of spikes placed on roads,” Jonck concluded.
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