The recent proposal by the Road Traffic Management Act to reduce speed limits on South African roads aims to reduce road fatalities, but will it lead to a change in driver behaviour? Old Mutual Insure’s Nthabeleng Stamier believes that while regulation could go some way to solving the problem, better enforcement is also needed.

Despite South Africa agreeing to the UN’s target to halve road fatalities by 2030, fatalities remain unacceptably high.

A previous Stats SA report shows that the number of road fatalities in the country increased from 6,556 in 2015 to 6,652 in 2016. The report cities a myriad factors for road traffic accidents, such as human error, inadequate infrastructure, vehicle defects and environmental conditions. But human error tops the list, including speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, such as looking at cell phones, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Nthabeleng Stamier, product systems and analytics manager at Old Mutual Insure, points out that driver behaviour is the leading cause of car accidents. “Speeding and reckless driving are among the top reasons for many of our road accidents,” she says. “These behaviours are also a major driver in the repudiation of motor claims.”

Enforcing the law

If the Road Traffic Management Act’s proposals are accepted, speed limits on residential roads could drop from 60km/h to 50km/h, while the highway speed limit could be reduced from 120km/h to 110km/h. The speed limit on public roads outside urban areas could change from 100km/h to 90km/h.

Although reducing speed limits could go some way to minimising road fatalities, Stamier maintains that any change in regulations needs to be enforced. “Enforcement, coupled with drivers actively committing to driving more responsibly, could make our roads safer,” she comments.

Why claims are rejected

According to the 2023 Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) report, most car-related insurance claims involved accidents, with most claims being rejected due to negligence as well as speeding. “The most important factor in this debate is driver behaviour,” Stamier reiterates. “Drivers need to remind themselves to drive slower as this gives them a longer reaction time to respond to something unexpected, such as a pedestrian crossing the road.”

She also highlights the tools available to improve driver safety. “Google Maps tells you what the speed limit is and alerts you in real time when you are exceeding it,” she says. “Telematics do the same thing.”

Supporting road safety and car innovation

Because accidents cost the insurance industry millions of rands each year, it’s in insurers best interests for South African roads to become safer.

A commitment to improving road safety is one of the reasons why Old Mutual Insure sponsors the prestigious 2025 South African Car of the Year competition, presented by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ). “We believe initiatives like this play an important role in changing the mindset of drivers, especially as it celebrates innovation in the motoring world, which can make driving even safer,” concludes Stamier.