Every day, South Africans dodge chaos on the roads. Reckless drivers, crumbling infrastructure, and a disregard for the rules have turned a simple trip into a life-or-death gamble. For the second year running, South Africa has been crowned the most dangerous country to drive in by Zutobi’s “The World’s Safest Roads” report. And right here in Newcastle, local habits are helping fuel this grim reputation.
Zutobi’s report ranks countries using five key factors: road death rates, speed limits, seatbelt use, alcohol-related crashes, and drunk-driving laws.
South Africa scored a measly 4.1 out of 10, with a staggering 24.5 road deaths per 100,000 people—far worse than Norway, the safest country, at just 2.1. Only 31% of front-seat passengers wear seatbelts, and 57.5% of road deaths involve alcohol—the highest rate globally.
Zoom in on our town, and the picture gets uglier. South African Police Service (SAPS) stats from October to December 2024 show Madadeni and Newcastle among South Africa’s top 30 hotspots for drunk driving. Madadeni SAPS nabbed 264 boozed-up drivers, while Newcastle SAPS hauled in 90. That’s over 350 arrests in just three months.
But it’s not just alcohol. Charles Steyn of Magenta Emergency Medical Services noted that while local drivers may not rival the recklessness seen in larger cities like Pietermaritzburg or Durban, 10% to 15% of collisions stem from negligence.
“Impatience on roads, motorists taking chances, and not stopping at intersections, as well as not knowing how to use a traffic circle properly are some of the biggest issues in Newcastle, when it comes to driver behaviour,” said Steyn, emphasising that such actions frequently trigger collisions.
Road Angels South Africa, active across Northern KwaZulu-Natal, lower KZN, and Mpumalanga, sees 80–90 crashes a week in good weather, spiking to 200 when rain or fog rolls in. They told us: “When looking at truck accidents, it is often truck drivers doing their best to ensure their loads arrive on time, and don’t get enough sleep in the process and they push themselves.” Poor road upkeep—potholes, faded speed humps—only makes it worse, especially when drivers flout the rules.
From Zutobi’s global stats to SAPS arrests and local responders, one truth stands out: South Africa’s deadly roads start with us—you and me. Northern KwaZulu-Natal drivers aren’t the worst compared to big cities, but we’re not off the hook. Skipping seatbelts, sipping before steering, or speeding through a pothole-riddled intersection—appears to ring true for many across our towns.
So, with all of this in mind, what is your take on SA taking top spot for yet another bad reason? Drop your thoughts below
Comments 2
Bad, poor to no law enforcement or visibilty. Seems they are paid not to engforce the law, but to stand next specific roads to collect bribes. Ticket books are out of print.
Aikona, Concerned Newcastle Residents
Newcastle traffic department useless. When Speed traps been manned nearly by by all of the traffic officers with there subsidised unmarked 4×4’s double cab bakkies & SUV’s as patrol vehicles(By the way Newcastle residents paying for these perks by means of Municipality tax’s & services money) inplace of patrolling our roads to keep them safe from the lawless overcrowded bus taxi busses and taxi’s 🚕.