Analysis of factors contributing to road fatalities in the Emfuleni local Municipality, South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2798

Keywords:

Road Traffic Accident, road-fatalities, safety, respondents & vehicle

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine and analyze the many factors that contribute to the occurrence of automobile deaths within the Emfuleni Local Municipality. This study employed a hybrid analytics approach, employing a non-probability convenience sampling strategy. The researchers employed a descriptive study methodology to gather a sample of 168 participants, consisting of both traffic cops and motorists. The primary outcomes of the investigation revealed that road configuration, including small roads, hills, and sharp curves, was one of several influential elements in the occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTA). The dataset under analysis reveals that a substantial proportion of respondents possessing a standard 10/matric/grade 12 certificate had a higher level of agreement compared to those with a diploma/bachelor's degree about the primary responsibility of road layout in road traffic accidents (RTAs). The majority of participants identified stray or wild animals as a significant contributing cause to road accidents. Notably, female respondents and motorists residing in Emfuleni Municipality exhibited the highest level of agreement on this matter. Another significant contributing element was the presence of malfunctioning traffic signals, which was widely acknowledged as a causative factor in road collisions. The majority of respondents who possessed a standard 10/matric/grade 12 education exhibited the highest level of agreement. The results ultimately demonstrated that a majority of the participants concurred that a significant portion of the drivers and automobiles present on the road were not suitable for sharing the roads with other drivers, leading to the elevated occurrence of road traffic fatalities. The present circumstance necessitates prompt attention. Suggestions were proposed to provide assistance to the pertinent parties.

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Author Biographies

Nozipho Nkosikhona Simelane, Tshwane University of Technology

Nozipho Nkosikhona Simelane is a graduate of Tshwane University of Technology with a National Diploma: Road Traffic and Municipal Police Management and Advanced Diploma in Traffic Safety and Municipal Police Management. She earned a Master of Policing from the same institution. Simelane is a postgraduate studies coordinator in Department of Safety and Security Management and an undergraduate studies tutor for traffic and policing undergraduate students. As a tutor, she assisted a wide variety of Municipal Policing, Traffic Strategies and Practices, Road Traffic Management and crime scene investigation classes to both traffic and policing majors at the undergraduate graduate levels. Her areas of specialisation are around road safety, gender equality and sustainability, as well as gender-based violence and femicide as a catalyst of gender reforms toward strengthening the affirmation, that equality in the status of men and women is fundamental to every society. And this concern has prompted her to refine existing perspective on what development should be and how to bring it about efficiently. She has presented technical reports to professional audiences, including the road traffic practices, policing safety and security environments. As a newly graduate, she has publications to her name, comprised of peer reviewed articles in accredited journals, as well as papers presented at local and international conferences which resulted in inclusion in conference proceedings. Ms. Simelane is eager to participate in the policing discipline to advance her own intellectual development, engage in profitable policing and economic activities, and make a valuable contribution to society.

Jacob Mofokeng, Tshwane University of Technology

Professor, African Research Chair for the Campus and School Public Safety, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology 2 Aubrey Matlala Street, Soshanguve - K, Soshanguve, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2023-10-28

How to Cite

Tlali, N. M., Simelane, N. N., & Mofokeng, J. (2023). Analysis of factors contributing to road fatalities in the Emfuleni local Municipality, South Africa. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 12(7), 371–382. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2798

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 7 (2023): October

Section

Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities & Social Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2023 Nthabiseng Mirriam Tlali, Nozipho Nkosikhona Simelane, Jacob Mofokeng

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