South Africa's drivers ranked WORST in the world
South Africa has been ranked the most dangerous country for drivers for the second consecutive year, according to a global report by driver education platform Zutobi.
Out of 53 countries assessed, South Africa placed last , raising serious concerns among transport authorities and road safety experts.
The annual study evaluated nations on various safety indicators including road fatality rates, seatbelt usage, highway speed limits, and legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels.
Norway secured the top spot as the safest driving country, followed by Iceland and Japan.
South Africa's overall safety score dropped to a concerning 2.88 out of 10, reflecting stagnation – or even regression – in efforts to curb road deaths.
Alarmingly, the country reported the highest rate of alcohol-related road fatalities in the world, with 57.5% of deaths linked to alcohol consumption, despite having a BAC limit of 0.05%.
Seatbelt compliance is another area of concern, with only 31% of South Africans reportedly wearing seatbelts in the front seat.
This stands in stark contrast to countries like France, where usage is nearly universal at 99.4%.
Additional risk factors include the country's national highway speed limit of 120km/h – high by global standards – and poor compliance with road laws, particularly among informal taxi drivers.
Corruption within metro police forces, failing infrastructure, and lack of reliable public transport also continue to undermine road safety.
Experts point to the need for stronger enforcement, improved driver education, and urgent investment in infrastructure.
Currently, poorly maintained roads, limited signage, and inadequate lighting contribute to a dangerous driving environment, particularly in rural areas.
While countries like Norway have achieved success through strict law enforcement, advanced infrastructure, and widespread public awareness campaigns, South Africa faces a crisis of confidence in both its road system and those tasked with maintaining it.
Authorities are being urged to take immediate, coordinated action to reverse the trend and protect the lives of road users.
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