Cape Town – The impact of driver fatigue on road accidents is a possibly overlooked issue in South Africa, according to a recent study in Social Sciences and Education Research Review.
“Numerous studies reveal that fatigue serves as a crucial factor that affects driving performance, manifesting itself in slower reaction times, poor decision-making, and increased risk-taking behaviour,” the study explains.
The study used systematic review and meta-analysis research designs, with a strong focus on road traffic accidents (RTA) and driver fatigue within South Africa.
“This meta-analysis highlights the significant and often overlooked impact of driver fatigue on RTA, using international evidence that is particularly relevant to South Africa,” the authors say.
“These effects are exacerbated by extended working hours, insufficient rest, and the pressures associated with long-haul and informal transport operations, which are prevalent in South African road freight and minibus taxi sectors.”
Another concern highlighted by the study is that the data shows correlations between fatigue and other risk factors, including alcohol consumption.
According to the research, when combined, these factors can potentially further increase the likelihood of road incidents.
The safety of drivers in South Africa has also previously been highlighted by a report from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
The report, titled Road Transport Accident Deaths in South Africa, 2007-2019, claims that road transport accident deaths increased from 6,556 in 2015 to 6,652 in 2016.
This followed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, signed and adopted by South Africa and all United Nations members in 2015. Part of the Agenda was to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
The authors of the study stressed that addressing driver fatigue in South Africa should be prioritised. This would include the implementation of “evidence-based interventions” that takes into account South Africa’s transportation environment.
“Given the critical role fatigue plays in RTA, particularly within the South African context, the results must reach various stakeholders, including transportation authorities, policymakers, road safety advocacy groups, and healthcare professionals,” the authors suggest.
The authors of the study include Linda Mbana, Witness Maluleke, John Kgatla Lekganyane from the University of Limpopo (UL), South Africa.
References:
Mbana, L., Maluleke, W., & Lekganyane, J. K. (2026). FATIGUE AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA: AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS STUDY. Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 13(1), 168-179.
Statistics South Africa. (2024). Road transport accident deaths in South Africa, 2007–2019.
