South African holiday road toll passes 900

[csv8]

South African holiday road toll passes 900

From: AFP December 28, 2011 7:57AM

MORE than 900 people have died on South Africa's roads this December, with 19 killed in the latest ghastly crash, a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a car.

A car with four passengers tried to pass another car on a highway in the Free State, and hit an oncoming minibus taxi carrying 15 people, police said today.

Both vehicles caught fire, and some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported.

Road accident deaths in South Africa are double the global average, a result of drunk-driving, speeding, aggressive driving and other factors.

South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation said reckless overtaking is a main reason for the 900 deaths on South African roads since December 1.

"Major contributory factors remain speeds too high for circumstances, especially at night and during inclement weather, drinking and driving, drinking and walking and dangerous overtaking on barrier lines in the face of coming traffic,'' spokesperson Ashref Ismail told SAPA.



Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele warned last year that South Africa faces an "epidemic" in road deaths.

The country has about 14,000 road fatalities a year, and 60 per cent of drivers killed in crashes were under the influence of alcohol. South Africa's population is about 49 million.

"We cannot continue treating road deaths as normal when we are facing death by design, death by human error, death through carelessness, death through drunkenness, all of which can be stopped," said Ndebele, whose own son died in a car crash.

"In fact, by 2015, it is estimated that road crashes will be the number one killer of children aged five to 14 in Africa, outstripping malaria and HIV and AIDS," he said.

My comment "and our Government goes berko with our road toll..what would they do with this !!!"

[Auslandau]

Driving on their roads I think they are lucky with the number they have! It is frightening to say the least. There are lots of police on the freeways but $20.00 is the extent of the fine paid through the window and straight in their pocket. The taxies all carry 10 plus people in mini buss's and there are 1000's of them. Also pedestrians on the road out strip cars 2 to 1. Australia has gone too far while over there they havnt even considered responsible driving

[jpd80]

The sad part is they just don't know what to do about it.

Australia's road toll peaked in 1970 with 3,780, considering we now have three times as many vehicles
on the road and only a third of the fatalities I think we can safely say that's no accident and has
less to do with alcohol and speeding,and more to do with attitude but our biggest killer is still single vehicle accidents.

[Ben73]

I read today that south Africa also has a massive murder rate aswell. Much bigger then the US. It's a wonder their population is growing with how many people get wiped out per year.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I read today that south Africa also has a massive murder rate aswell. Much bigger then the US. It's a wonder their population is growing with how many people get wiped out per year.

imagine what their population would be with 'normal' road deaths and murder stats then...

[TMC]

Not enough regard for human life.

[DJM83]

Have a look at the Indian road toll if you think thats bad.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I read today that south Africa also has a massive murder rate aswell. Much bigger then the US. It's a wonder their population is growing with how many people get wiped out per year.

While both of the above (auto/murder deaths) are a terrible thing for any country to bare, they both pale into insignificance when compared to their HIV/AIDS problems.....

http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm

Dealing with any one of the above would be a major task for a government me thinks, but having to deal with the lot would be a nightmare....

[351ciofgrunt]

All I can say is immigrating to Australia is one of the best things our family ever did.

...and I've NEVER been back

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 351ciofgrunt

All I can say is immigrating to Australia is one of the best things our family ever did.

...and I've NEVER been back

The South African guy at work says the opposite, he'd be better off back there, he's got some interesting stories about black vs white violence back in the 60s/70s/80s/90s, he's the former.

He also mentioned how even here in Australia, he wants nothing to do with white South Africans, so its still in the back of his mind.

[Venomous1]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

The South African guy at work says the opposite, he'd be better off back there, he's got some interesting stories about black vs white violence back in the 60s/70s/80s/90s, he's the former.

He also mentioned how even here in Australia, he wants nothing to do with white South Africans, so its still in the back of his mind.

yet he's still here

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Venomous1

yet he's still here

Yeah, he was search and rescue paramedic back in South Africa, but they don't recognise his degree and qualification here to be a paramedic, so he got stuck in fabrication. Two of his kids are born here and don't have South African residency or what ever it is which is another issue, his youngest one doesn't want anything to do with the home country either

He tells me he'd be better off back home money and house wise, he went from driving a new BMW 5 series and owning a house in the mid 90s, to driving an old ratty 2000 Hilux today.

[z80]

Originally Posted by 351ciofgrunt

All I can say is immigrating to Australia is one of the best things our family ever did.

...and I've NEVER been back

You're not the first one I've heard say that.

Welcome to aus, best country on the planet.

[351ciofgrunt]

Originally Posted by z80

You're not the first one I've heard say that.

Welcome to aus, best country on the planet.

Damn straight, if you don't love it, LEAVE!

[Venomous1]

Originally Posted by 351ciofgrunt

Damn straight, if you don't love it, LEAVE!

Btw I'm from Sa originally too and agree fully!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Venomous1

Btw I'm from Sa originally too and agree fully!

Which area, I'm curious, workmate is from the Boland area.

[Venomous1]

Joburg area! Gangsters Paradise.

[mr smith]

I love Australia and the so called "nanny state" I live in. This is what hapens when society is out of control.

[bigsta]

yeah Oz is pretty unique and its not until you have been everywhere else that you relise how good it is, well hopefully the head ranger and corrupt pollies wont ruin it.

[jrfttf]

Cleary the road toll ect shows what human life is worth to some countrys!

[2011G6E]

The Seth Efrican guys I've worked with over the years all say the same thing...the place is going to be very interesting when Nelson Mandela drops off the twig. Some thing about many nasty groups being restrained because they don't want to "offend" the great man, but once he's gone, they'll feel free to let the white and Indian South African population know exactly what they think of them, in no uncertain terms...think something like Robert Mugabes' Zimbabwe...

The road toll is, unfortunately, probably pretty ordinary for places like that. I remember a quote about driving in some South American countries, where they warned tourist drivers that "vehicles don't obey the laws of physics, much less the laws of the road"...

[roushfenway]

That's a horrifying statistic, but not in any way shocking. My wife is originally from Zim farming stock and most of her family now lives in SA. I've been to SA a few times with her and she's terrified to death of driving on the roads there. And with good reason. Drink driving is endemic amongst both the white and black populations and it's a big factor - but not the only one.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I read today that south Africa also has a massive murder rate aswell. Much bigger then the US. It's a wonder their population is growing with how many people get wiped out per year.

Its sad reading these statistics but I guess its life for many parts of the world.

I think I remember reading 50 people are murdered a day in South Africa.

Although the worst for murder is Honduras, as it has a massive cocaine trade. The problem with the drug trade is that it murder and violence becomes so embedded in everyday life that it gives people a feeling of immunity, so even minor disputes are settled with violence. Its actually so bad over there that it is illegal to carry a passenger on a motorbike because so many drive-by shootings are carried out by people on the back of a motorbike with a machine gun.

Another tragic statistic is that here in Australia the biggest killer of people under 55 is suicide. Mental health and depression is a subject Im very passionate about and I wish it got the same attention as the road toll and murder. In the end every life lost is a tragedy.

[billy302]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The sad part is they just don't know what to do about it.

Yes it's true, there are so many Africans who don't have licences and drive, its so much more than an epidemic. They seem to think that is their right. You drive so why shouldn't I. Vehicle maintenance is another issue.
If you are going to South Africa please do not get into the first taxi you see. Take the time look at it closely before you get in. A Taxi in Johannesburg was involved in an accident and they found a pair of vice grips welded to the steering column where the steering wheel should be.
This is not a joke, I'm serious, people are so poor, they fix cars with anything available. Try checking the Easter road toll in Johannesburg alone last year.
They don't know what to do about it, neither do I.

[MITCHAY]

One of my colleagues is from South Africa and every now and again you get a story of why he would never live there again. So it is not a surprise that **** hole has such a high toll.

One particular instance he was forced off the road by a group of lovely men packing assault rifles. Yeah I'd prefer a radar gun any day of the week

[Bossxr8]

Just put in a few hundred speed cameras and the road toll will halve straight away, cause speed cameras save lives.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Just put in a few hundred speed cameras and the road toll will halve straight away, cause speed cameras save lives.

Thats why Queensland's road toll is 24 higher than last year, because speed cameras work!!! BS !!!!

[XCwillo]

Not surprising coming from a country where you can literally buy you drivers license on the side of the road :\