Over and above the violence associated with the regulation of minibus taxi industry, there are more than 10 000 deaths on South African roads per year, with the minibus taxi industry being responsible for a large proportion of these fatal crashes. A study performed by the Automobile Association of South Africa recorded a total of 70 000 minibus crashes, indicating that these taxi's are responsible for twice the rate of crashes than all other passenger vehicles. However, these vehicles spend a far greater amount of time and travel a greater distance than the average vehicle.
Contributing factors to to these high crash statistics include:
Overloading: When a vehicle is overloaded, and the seating capacity exceeded, all occupants are placed at risk. Not only is the stopping power of the vehicle dramatically reduced, but the center of gravity may be altered, making the vehicle less controllable under certain conditions. Blown Tyre: The condition of a tyre is related to its physical performance and over all integrity. A tyre demands a daily inspection to ensure there are no breakes or tears, which could result in a blow out at relatively low speeds. Faulty lights: The vehicle lights allow fellow road user one's current and desired movements whilst driving. They serve as a means of understanding fellow road users movements and may give warnings of dangers ahead as experienced by other motorists. Faulty Brakes: When the stopping power of a vehicle is reduced due to mechanical errors in the braking system, the potential for collisions at both high and low speeds is exponentially increased. It is worthwhile to remember that the link between the driver and the braking system is the most important part of the brake pedal. Worn tread: The tread on a tyre aids in the disruption of water from the road -and tyre surface during wet conditions. The tread on a tyre helps to create the surface area required for the tyre to contact the road, and thus relates to the ability to maneuver the tyre across a broad spectrum of retain and weather conditions. |
- National Department Of Transport. Statistics 2013
- Towards a safer minbus taxi industry in South Africa.
- Towards a safer minbus taxi industry in South Africa.
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