Cars.co.za report offers interesting insights
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
- Dealer News
- 22 September 2026
Whether the worst drivers are male or female is an age-old debate that is unlikely to ever abate. The bad news for South Africans is that according to recent research conducted by Compare the Market in Australia, both South African males and females are the worst drivers in a comparative analysis of 20 countries.
An article published on the research says South Africans cause the highest number of fatal crashes, regardless of gender. “It goes on to say that males are responsible for 34.9% of fatal crashes while females are responsible for 9.9%. When each of these is compared to the 19 other countries in the study, South Africa is placed the highest for fatal crashes across both genders.
“The study additionally states that the fatality rate is approximately 44.8 fatalities per 100 000 citizens, which is worse than other developing nations like Colombia, India and Brazil. Furthermore, the article says this is particularly concerning when one considers the potholes, mud pits and flooding in countries like Brazil,” says Eugene Herbert from MasterDrive.
While the state of South African road safety is undeniably dismal, it is important to assess the study critically. “It is inaccurate, at best, to say South Africa has the worst drivers in a study that only includes 20 out of 195 of the countries in the world. While the article never actually says South Africa has the worst drivers in the world, its lack of specificity leaves it open to interpretation.
“Furthermore, to assume that South Africa is not affected by potholes or flooding is erroneous. Lastly, out of 20 countries in the study, only 4% are developing nations. Thus, the study appears to lack a representative distribution of developed and developing nations. The findings can be represented in a way that attracts readership and conversation, but which may not necessarily be accurate.”
With these factors in mind, what can be concluded from the results? “An average of 34.9 fatalities per 100 000 for males and 9.9 fatalities per 100 000 for females, is still unacceptably high. The last official research conducted in 2010 by the WHO put the total number at 25.9. Thus, there may be a very high rise in fatalities despite reported decreases over holiday periods and during COVID-19.
“Does it prove males are worse drivers than female drivers? No, not definitively. To measure this, a study needs to include the concentration of male drivers versus female drivers. MasterDrive has always advised against comparing one group against another. The danger lies in creating a mistaken belief that people can relax their guard or take more risks because they are ‘better drivers’ than their gender counterparts.”
All drivers should focus on their driving alone. “Make a concerted effort to improve your driving without hampering your intention to be the best driver possible because of a study that may not have considered all variables and which presents information that is not useful in improving road safety overall,” says Eugene.
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
At the recent DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za automotive excellence was celebrated by honouring top executives in the automotive retails industry.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
Car recalls often raise concern among owners, but the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) says recall campaigns show that manufacturers are accountable and committed to quality, safety and customer care.
Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa’s vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.
South Africa’s used car market continued to grow during the first half of 2026, despite pressure on household budgets and a 25 basis point interest rate increase in May.