Steep rise in youngsters in vehicle accidents

THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) has revealed that it has recorded a significant increase in young people being involved i motor vehicle accidents.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

Over the last five years, the RAF has has recorded a 43.5% rise in personal claims from individuals aged between 15 to 35 with 70743 claims having been submitted by this age group, while claims filed by those younger than 15 years old was 15,227.

South Africa was reported to have one of the highest rates of fatal traffic accidents in the world, with road users being four times more likely to die in accidents compared to the global average. Reports suggest that South Africa recorded no less than 24.5 fatal traffic accidents per 100 000 people while the global average was just 6.3 per 100 000.