As millions of South Africans embark on year-end journeys, authorities emphasize the importance of ensuring vehicles are in good working order. Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of December 15 as a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup victory, the nation observes the Day of Reconciliation on Saturday. With many companies closed for the annual year-end break, increased traffic and travel-related challenges are expected.
Thania Dhoogra, operations manager at the N3 Toll Concession, reported an early uptick in traffic volumes heading towards KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. While some crashes were recorded earlier in the month, major incidents obstructing traffic flow were not reported before 9 am on Friday. Dhoogra highlighted vehicle mechanical failure as a significant contributor to road crashes, along with human error. According to historical statistics, driver behavior remains a leading cause of accidents.
Motorists are urged to prioritize vehicle maintenance, take regular breaks during long trips to reduce fatigue, enhance visibility, and adhere to prescribed speed limits. South Africa has been identified as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for driving, ranking first in recent research by international driver’s education company Zutobi. Thailand and the US follow as the second and third most dangerous countries, respectively, with the top three positions unchanged from the previous year.