By Nazeer Hoosen
Injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents on South African roads are a national crisis. According to a 2023 State of Road Safety in South Africa report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), there were 11,883 road user fatalities in 2023. Causes of these tragic accidents include speeding, the use of alcohol, distractions, recklessness and other safety-related issues. 45% of the recorded fatalities were pedestrian-related, arising from both driver and pedestrian-based causes. These motor vehicle accident statistics also include work-related accidents caused by workers who operate vehicles as part of their jobs, as well as workers who are injured or killed by vehicles while conducting their jobs (such as contractors working on the side of a road).
The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), a mutual non-life insurer offering workmen’s compensation insurance for the construction and construction-related industries in South Africa, lists motor vehicle accidents as the 4th leading cause of work-related accidents (according to 2024 data, extracted as of June 2024). This is based on FEM’s statistics which constitute 41.52% of all 2024 deaths for the reported period. In fact, motor vehicle accidents have consistently remained the leading cause of workplace deaths year on year in the construction space, collectively resulting in about 230 deaths since 2016, according to previously released FEM statistics. Motor vehicle accidents are also the number one cause of permanent disability as a result of occupational accidents, accounting for close to a third of all permanent disabilities reported as part of FEM’s June 2024 data.
As these statistics reflect around 50% of the formal construction workforce in South Africa insured by FEM (with the balance insured by the Compensation Fund), the situation is a fair reflection of the industry. Official data does not include the informal sector and the incidents that go unreported. Given the high-risk sectors that insured employees work within (such as construction and mining), the fact that motor vehicle accidents are the highest cause of occupational deaths is concerning. It highlights a critical area that needs urgent attention from both a road safety and occupational health and safety (OHS) perspective.
While the types and causes of work-related motor vehicle accidents are not exhaustive, below are some of the leading concerns that have been repeatedly observed over time, which include pedestrians being struck by or run over by a vehicle, vehicles tipping over or overturning; and workers falling off a moving vehicle:
- Construction Site Injuries: Being hit, struck or run over by light-duty vehicles on site, as well as heavy-duty vehicles
- Warehouses and loading areas: Predominantly issues involving light-duty vehicles
- Road Construction Workers: Being struck by passing vehicles or construction vehicles while working on roads
- Drivers / Travellers: Being involved in motor vehicle accidents while travelling and / or transporting goods as part of occupational requirements
- Commercial Vehicles: Accidents due to factors such as overloading or using a vehicle outside of the purpose it was designed for
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents:
Causes of vehicle accidents range from driver error, pedestrian error, vehicle problems, road issues and other safety factors. When it comes to work-related motor vehicle accidents, further causes include:
- Speeding: Excessive speed is a major cause of vehicle accidents resulting in pedestrian, driver and passenger deaths. Research done by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) between the 1970s and 1980s showed that reducing speed by just 1km/h in average speed in rural areas resulted in a decrease in both total accidents, as well as fatal accidents each month. (Arrive Alive).
- Driving Under the Influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol and / or other substances is not only the cause of accidents and deaths on the road, but also accidents caused by operating light-duty vehicles and equipment on construction sites, as well as inside warehouses and enclosed areas.
- Roadworks: Employees working alongside roads, and on the road itself, remain at high risk of being struck by passing motor vehicles. This pertains to construction workers repairing or laying roads, as well as less obvious risks such as municipal workers working on the verge alongside roads. Even in relatively “quiet” residential areas, there are still many reported incidents of workers being struck by passing vehicles
- Driver Error and Negligence: Driver error includes being distracted or negligent (such as talking on a cell phone or looking away from the road while driving). It also refers to knowingly operating a vehicle that is not in a roadworthy condition.
- Incorrect Use of Vehicles: This includes incorrect use of light-duty vehicles at worksites or premises and factors such as overloading or improper securing of vehicle contents.
- Fatigue: Dr Advocate Linda Mbana, Executive Manager of Law Enforcement at the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) explains, “Driving for long periods often results in driver fatigue. This is particularly common for long-distance drivers, such as truck drivers travelling across the country or even across the border. This can lead to accidents, sometimes with devastating consequences and loss of life. Drivers should be encouraged to take breaks when necessary, and road safety should be of paramount importance to both drivers and employers. With Transport Month coming up in October, there is an opportunity to amplify road safety awareness aimed at creating safer roads and reducing high accident rates.”
Reducing Motor Vehicle Accidents and Deaths
While some accidents are due to unforeseen causes or circumstances (such as extreme weather conditions or a tyre blow-out), the vast majority of accidents are preventable.
Adherence to road safety and workplace protocols is the foremost way to reduce road-related injuries and fatalities. This involves obeying speed limits, never driving under the influence, staying focused while driving, taking breaks when necessary and operating vehicles correctly.
Revised regulatory road safety frameworks are a key contributing factor to reducing accidents. The abovementioned CSIR research found that lowering speed limits had an overwhelming effect on the occurrence of road accidents, and that reducing the speed limit from 120 km/h to 80 km/h resulted in a marked decrease in casualty rates.
Increased occupational health and safety measures by both employers and employees are critical to reducing work-related accidents. This includes ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and utilized in a safe way, having measures like vehicle speed tracking in place, ensuring that vulnerable workers (such as roadside workers) are effectively protected and refraining from unsafe practices (such as incentivizing long-distance drivers for early arrival). Employees need to be trained on an ongoing basis on health and safety protocols, including the severe consequences of non-compliance. This includes vehicle safety on and off the road.
The installation of driver safety software can be a life-saving solution. Such systems alert the driver when fatigue, microsleep or distraction factors are detected. Depending on the vehicle and sophistication level required, these systems can further detect factors such as steering angles and steering velocity to monitor incorrect or erratic steering wheel movements or deviations.
From a government support point of view, stricter safety measures should be developed and implemented, particularly to address areas of high risk. Subsidising road and safety solutions for employers would also be pivotal to reducing accidents and motor vehicle-related deaths.
Ultimately, though, the onus lies on road users – both drivers and pedestrians – to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Respecting the rules of the road and understanding that our actions can mean the difference between life and death, is the starting point of turning the tide and reducing motor vehicle fatalities.
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