Road safety remains one of South Africa’s most pressing public safety challenges. Despite having one of the most extensive road infrastructures in the world, the country continues to experience an alarming number of road fatalities. 

Over the past few years, South Africa has recorded an average of 12,000 deaths on its roads annually, approximately one fatality for every 100,000 people. This fatality rate is nearly double the global average, highlighting the urgent need for stronger road safety interventions and responsible road user behaviour.

This reality came under the spotlight during an evidence-led conversation by Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) – hosted by GIBB Engineering – that brought together industry leaders, researchers, engineers and media to unpack the complex relationship between road infrastructure, human behaviour, policy and public safety.

Dr Melusi Thwala, ASSAf Manager: Science Advisory and Strategic Partnerships, said the subsequent social and economic impact of such fatalities can never be fully quantified. “The destabilisation of family life, as well as the long-term and permanent health effects, which come at a high financial and mental cost, are some of the societal issues that we can overcome by reducing the number of fatalities on our roads.”

GIBB CEO, Vishaal Lutchman, concurred with Dr Thwala, noting that the phenomenon of evidence-based research has become disconnected from the country’s societal knowledge on various issues. “This knowledge is not being heard. Many academics go silent. Many who know what the solutions are – and can frame the problems – go quiet.

“In forums such as these, we want to connect evidence-based research to potential solutions. We all have a role to play in improving the quality of lives of the people around us. That's why we have researchers who look to progress technology, engineers to implement this technology, and the media to communicate these important concepts to society at large. It is an interdisciplinary subject that requires multiple stakeholders to unravel it.”

With 90% of fatal crashes in 2023 linked to human error, as highlighted by Transport Researcher and Candidate Engineer from CSIR Smart Mobility, Busisiwe Morale, the discussion reinforced the need to look beyond road users alone and consider the full transport system. 

This view was reinforced by SAAE President-Elect, Felix Reinders, who said the engineering solutions, no matter how sophisticated, cannot protect lives in isolation. 

“The structural integrity of our highways must rely on a matching integrity in human behaviour, corporate fleet accountability and systematic law enforcement.”

Speakers emphasised that human error is often shaped by a wider set of factors, including road signage, infrastructure condition, pedestrian movement, livestock, education, awareness and enforcement.

This means managing road safety requires a multifaceted approach. As Dr Lee Randall, founder of the Road Ethics Project, said, “Even to participate in the road system demands resilience, education and awareness.”

The roundtable discussion highlighted several areas that need addressing. Some of these included:

Synthesis and further examination of multidisciplinary evidence on road safety, particularly focusing on human behaviour and context-specific interventions, and exploring how academies can contribute to solutions.

Reviewing and updating of engineering standards and guidelines to ensure new infrastructure and maintenance prioritises safety for all users, especially vulnerable road users, and incorporates universal access and safe systems principles.

Expanding research on driver behaviour, signage effectiveness and emerging risks, such as delivery motorcycles, and sharing findings with government and industry to inform policy and standards updates.

Implementing targeted interventions at high accident zones by provincial and municipal road authorities, including improved pedestrian facilities, livestock management and maintenance, as well as advocating for increased, equitable funding for rural and municipal road safety.

Increasing public awareness of road safety issues and promote the need for enhanced law enforcement through solutions-focused, balanced and long-term journalism.

Promoting and supporting public education and lifelong learning programs on road safety, targeting both children and adult road users, with emphasis on vulnerable groups and emerging risks.

Reviewing and, where necessary, updating of standards for vehicle imports and road design to reflect global best practices in safety, especially for vulnerable users and in the context of South Africa's unique challenges.

Monitoring and reporting on the integration of road safety as a segment in future infrastructure report cards, with a focus on maintenance, funding, and enforcement challenges.

Summing up events, Lutchman said South Africa loses an average of 34 people a day on its roads. “Someone who is a breadwinner, a father, a mother or a child – a future that is cut short, never to come back. These things matter to us as researchers, colleagues and engineers because we spend our lives trying to make things safer. This is why these types of conversations are so important, and why they need to be followed up with action and commitment.”