Is this south africas deadliest road
You're referring to the infamous N2 highway in South Africa!
Yes, the N2 highway, which runs along the Garden Route in the Western Cape province, is often referred to as one of the deadliest roads in South Africa. The stretch between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth is particularly notorious for its high number of accidents and fatalities.
According to various sources, including the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the N2 highway has a high fatality rate due to a combination of factors, including:
- High volume of traffic: The N2 is a major route that connects Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, making it a busy highway with a high volume of traffic, including trucks, buses, and private vehicles.
- Poor road conditions: The road surface is often damaged, and there are many potholes, which can cause vehicles to lose control or skid, leading to accidents.
- Aggressive driving: Many drivers on the N2 are in a hurry, which can lead to reckless behavior, such as speeding, tailgating, and lane changes without checking blind spots.
- Lack of road safety infrastructure: In some areas, the road lacks adequate safety features, such as guardrails, crash barriers, and pedestrian crossings.
- Weather conditions: The N2 passes through mountainous terrain, which can be prone to fog, mist, and rain, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
According to the RTMC, the N2 highway accounted for 12.4% of all road fatalities in South Africa in 2020, despite making up only 4.5% of the country's total road network. This is a staggering statistic, highlighting the need for improved road safety measures and increased awareness among drivers.
It's worth noting that while the N2 highway is considered one of the deadliest roads in South Africa, there are many other roads across the country that also have high fatality rates.