Drink driving key problem for South African roads

South Africa has the highest rate of drink driving related road crashes in the world. Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO), shows that 58% of South Africa’s road deaths are alcohol related. This information forms part of the WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2015. Although South Africa’s overall rate of road deaths has fallen, from 33/100,000 of population in 2006 to the present 25.1/100,000 of population, the risks on travelling by road remain very high. The report also says that overall, anyone involved in a road crash in Africa has a 26.6% risk of being killed, while the upcoming holiday season is particularly dangerous as drink driving is more common at this time. Other key causes of fatalities in road crashes in South Africa include speeding, not wearing seatbelts, inadequate child restraints and motorcyclists not wearing helmets. The financial implications of South Africa’s high road crash rate are clear, with around 7.8% of the country’s GDP being lost as a result.