Motor Industry | Prosumer Connect

Hijackers have two new favourite car colours in South Africa

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:52:02 +0000

Over the course of last year and the first half of 2024, security groups and insurers have highlighted that hijackings are on the rise, and bright or unusual colours are no longer a deterrent.

Fidelity ADT confirmed that within the Fidelity footprint, the number of hijackings recorded during the first half of 2024 increased compared to the corresponding periods during 2023 and the second half of 2023.

According to data from the South African Police Services (SAPS), there are 66 reported car hijackings every day, marking a significant 34% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The statistics show that approximately half of these incidents take place in Gauteng, while the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal each account for about 14% of the total.

It’s important to highlight that these statistics only cover hijackings involving violence or coercion against the driver.

The data reveals that there are approximately 10,000 vehicle thefts reported per quarter, which amounts to about 40,000 thefts annually.

This information sheds light on the concerning issue of car-related crimes in South Africa.

Vehicle hijackings are often described as largely a business driven by demand and supply. As a result, hijackers target specific vehicles for a specific purpose and market.

Within the Fidelity footprint, these are the top five vehicles currently being targeted:

White Nissan Almera
White VW Polo
White Toyota Hi-Ace
White Nissan NP200
Grey/blue/white Toyota Corolla

In the recent past, white and silver vehicles were most often targeted, as per the black market’s demand, which often reflects the mainstream market trends.

However, there has been an increased demand for non-traditional coloured vehicles on the road.

As a result, vehicles with non-traditional colours, including orange and yellow, have started being targeted more regularly.

Traditionally, bright-coloured cars were considered unpopular among hijackers as they stood out easily compared with silver or white cars, making them harder to hide from tracking companies and the authorities.

However, Cartrack, a prominent car-tracking company, said the theft of car components has become more widespread than the theft of entire vehicles.

It said the high demand for affordable, readily available parts on the black market drives this trend, as these parts are easier to conceal and harder to trace than whole cars.

This could explain why colour isn’t much of a deterrent anymore.

This is because experienced syndicates with designated chop shops can dismantle any car in minutes.

Cartrack noted criminals steal vehicle components effortlessly, with four wheels capable of being removed in five minutes, airbags and tailgates in two minutes, and a battery disconnected in as little as one minute.

The tracking company noted that airbags, batteries, tailgates, wheels, and tyres are among the most stolen parts.

Cartrack reported incidents of stolen vehicles that were later found completely stripped, indicating the lucrative trade value of illegal chop shops and stolen car parts, which has been estimated at about R442 million.

This unlawful practice is seen as a quicker and more profitable alternative to reselling stolen vehicles.

Tracker has commented on the latest hijacking hotspots, stating that while shopping malls are still a primary hotspot for thefts in South Africa, their data also shows that sporting and school events are primary hunting grounds for hijackings and car thefts across the country.

Source: BusinessTech

INSURERS PUSH FOR TRACKERS AS THEFT OF HIGH-END VEHICLES SURGES

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:43:04 +0000

With about 66 cars hijacked a day, many insurers now insist that certain vehicles have tracking devices installed before granting cover.

Car hijackings have been on the rise since 2020. According to Tracker’s latest Vehicle Crime Index, hijackings accounted for 55% of all vehicle crime incidents.

The latest SAPS crime statistics show there were 5 973 carjackings in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“This equates to about 66 cars being hijacked per day, which represents an increase of 34% over pre-pandemic levels,” says Marius Kemp, head of Personal Lines Insurance at Santam.

Gauteng is the worst region in South Africa for this type of crime. Of the almost 6 000 cars hijacked in the fourth quarter of 2023, half (3 010, or 50.4%) were from Gauteng. The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were the next worst-hit provinces, at about 14% each.

“These statistics are only for hijackings, involving some sort of violence or coercion against the driver. Total vehicle thefts are around 10 000 per quarter, or about 40 000 annually,” Kemp says.

A hijacking trend highlighted in the 2022/23 Santam Insurance Barometer Report showed there has been a shift from older, low-value vehicles with limited security features to more expensive double cabs and SUVs.

“The hi-tech features on newer, higher-end cars often aren’t the deterrent one would think. For example, cars with keyless entry have become specific targets for criminals, who are able to intercept the signal coming from the driver’s remote,” Kemp says.

Facing a post-pandemic spike in car theft claims, insurance companies, including Santam, have introduced mandatory hijacking and theft countermeasures.

Santam says these measures proved effective. The short-term insurer’s personal lines hijacking claims were down by 24% in the first half of 2023, and vehicle theft claims were down by 19%.

Kemp says having a tracking device won’t prevent a car from being stolen, but will, in most cases, ensure a rapid recovery. He adds that even if a vehicle owner isn’t compelled to by an insurer, consumers and businesses should consider the substantial benefits these devices offer.

Apart from the high chance of recovery, Santam lists the following benefits of installing a tracking device:

Reduction in insurance premiums. “The reduction will depend on your risk profile, type of vehicle and where you live, but all other things being equal, a car owner with a tracking device will pay a lower premium each month than a car owner without one,” Kemp says. “In some cases, the monthly discount on the premium will be higher than the monthly cost of the device.”
Less downtime. Quick recoveries mean that in many cases, consumers and businesses are not left stranded without transportation for long periods.
Roadside assistance. The tracking subscription may include a roadside assistance service in the event of a breakdown, although insurers generally offer this service on vehicle policies whether there is a tracking device or not.
Additional features and services. Depending on the option, the service may include app-based tracking in real time, a trip logbook and, for businesses, fleet management.

“The more South Africans can be proactive in thwarting criminals, the more we can bring down the crime levels in our country, and one way to do that is by installing a tracking device in your car,” Kemp states.

Source: Moonstone

Tips to prevent driveway hijackings

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:46:28 +0000

Research published by insurance body, MiWay recently stated the most common area where hijackings took place was at home, in the driveway. This aligned with information that Crime SA developed that pointed to an estimated 71 percent of car hijackings occurring in driveways.

Image by Jan Marcus Trapp from Pixabay.

As with most things in life, it is always important to remain alert and aware when you are driving to and from your residence. You can make a massive and positive difference to your safety by simply being aware of what is happening around your vehicle.

“As a responsible driver, you must remove all distractions to keep 100 percent of your attention on the road, other road users, and on the safe operation of the vehicle you are driving,” said Charnel Hattingh, group head of communications and marketing at Fidelity Services Group.

“Basic personal safety habits can go a long way to preventing a hijacking from happening in your driveway. We hope these tips can help you and your family be safe, and we suggest that you also share them with other family members or friends for when they drive to and from home,” explained Hattingh.

Who is following you? Keep checking the rearview mirror for any vehicles that might be following you. If you see a suspicious vehicle behind you, drive past your gate and circle the block. If they are still behind you, drive to the nearest police station immediately.
Check the street before opening the gate. Do not open your garage door or your sliding gate until you check that there are no vehicles loitering in your street.
Break your routine. Criminals often rely on predictable behaviour and patterns. If you vary your routines to and from work or the road you take to the shops, you make it more difficult for them to plan a hijacking.
Confirm your arrival time. Let your family members at home know when you are due to arrive home so that they can immediately raise the alarm in case your arrival is delayed for whatever reason.

“In the sad situation where you do become a victim of a hijacking, it is critical to remain calm and to comply with instructions. Try to notice as much information as you can about the hijackers and the backup car they might be using,” advised Hattingh.

Speak to your insurance provider about the vehicle tracking device they recommend, she noted. “This could help you in the safe and quick recovery of your vehicle,” Hattingh concluded.

Source: Rising Sun

Criminals are after these 4 items in South Africa

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:39:17 +0000

– and they’re looking for homes that have them!

Fidelity ADT has warned homeowners that criminals are eyeing homes in South Africa to target items such as gas bottles, gate motors, tyres, and rims.

In a series of alerts, Fidelity ADT said that branches had received recent reports indicating a crime trend where opportunistic thieves are entering yards or jumping over fences to steal gas battles, irrespective of the size.

The security group added that this trend has especially been noted in Ballito and Stanger, with several reported incidents in the Glen Hills area over the past week.

Another notable target—specifically in Gauteng—is the theft of gate motors.

The group said stolen gate motors are either stripped down and their various components (batteries, gearboxes, etc.) sold individually, or they are sold as complete units to unsuspecting homeowners by these “access automation bandits”, as they are often referred to.

It added there is also a worrying trend of suspects deactivating the gate motor and accessing the property while on manual override.

Once gaining access, the criminals (along with gas bottles) are also after the tyres and rims of cars in the driveway or yard.

“Within the Fidelity ADT footprint, there is a growing trend where suspects are stealing tyres from cars parked in yards during the night.

“The suspects sneak in, remove the tyres, throw them over the wall, and leave,” it said.

The security group added that the criminals typically scout the area during the day, sometimes even poisoning dogs, and then return later to steal what they want.

“This is not a random act. We urge all residents not to become complacent about their perimeter security,” the group said.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and not to leave anything to chance. If you see anything suspicious in or around your neighbourhood, report it immediately to your private security company and local SAPS.”

Break-ins on the rise

According to the SAPS’ crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023/24, burglaries at residential premises decreased by 4.4% year-on-year. However, compared to the second quarter of 2023, burglaries at residential premises increased by 6.8%.

Additionally, although robberies with aggravated circumstances at houses increased by only 1.7% compared to the previous year, they were up almost 5.2% from the second quarter.

This shows an increasing trend for both break-ins and robberies in South Africa.

Data captured at police stations across the country recorded 40,751 cases of home burglaries between October and December 2023—roughly 453 incidents a day.

Meanwhile, the SAPS recorded 6,360 house robberies over the same period – or 71 every day.

THESE are the most commonly stolen car parts in South Africa

Protect yourself and your vehicle against the theft of these most stolen car parts in South Africa. Some of these items will surprise you …

You might be surprised to see which are the most stolen car parts in South Africa. Image: File/Fotor

It’s common knowledge that Mzansi is battling a vehicle hijacking epidemic, but did you know there’s a multi-million-Rand for blackmarket stolen car parts in South Africa, too? As The South African has already reported, vehicle hijackings are endemic to Mzansi, with SAPS reporting 5 511 cars hijacked/stolen in the last three months. Do that math and you work out that’s 1 800 per month, or 60 per day!

With most cars destined for smuggling across the Mozambique or Zimbabwe border, there is just as much demand for individual stolen car parts in South Africa. A recent report from TopAuto found these are most pilfered car parts by Mzansi’s criminals …

MOST STOLEN CAR PARTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

A bakkie’s tailgate finds excellent money on the black market, so fit additional lockable protection like a canopy/cover. Image: File

According to a Cartrack report, bakkie tailgates, (un-deployed) airbags, vehicle batteries, tow hitches, wheels and tyres are the most commonly stolen car parts in South Africa. Theft of these individual components – unlike hijackings – stays within SA’s borders. And in terms of sheer volume, stolen car parts in South Africa are higher because it’s easier to hide the goods and harder to trace than an entire vehicle.

Cartrack says there is big demand for cheap, readily available parts on the black market. Local chop shops are a R442-million per year industry. In fact, reselling car parts striped from a vehicle is seen as better business by many in the trade. Simply because it’s less traceable than hiding, smuggling and reselling an enitre stolen vehicle.

SEASONED THIEVES AT WORK

Anyone who’s had a battery stolen will know just how inconvenient and expensive it is. Image: File

That is why you need to take care against seasoned thieves for whom this type of work is easy. Cartrack says professional thieves can remove all four wheels from your car in just five minutes. Grabbing a bakkie tailgate is done in just two minutes. This sells for as much as R2 500 on the black market, therefore making it highly sought-after.

That’s roughly the same time it takes to steal your vehicle battery, rendering your car immobile. If you’ve had to buy a new replacement battery lately, you’ll know just how expensive they are. So, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and your ride against part thieves in South Africa:

Fit a sturdy, lockable canopy to protect your bakkie’s tailgate.
Equip your wheels with locknuts.
Fit extra reinforcement to your battery bracket.
Always park in a busy, visible and well-lit area.
Double-check that your vehicle is locked when you leave it.
Stash valuables out of sight.
Avoid driving through high-risk areas and known hijacking hotspots.
Never connect to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks from your car.
Don’t be lured out of your car for any reason.
Fit your vehicle with a GPS tracker so it can be located in the event of theft/hijacking.

Source: Affluencer & The South African

Smash-and-grab warning in South Africa – what you need to know

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:15:37 +0000

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned Gauteng motorists that criminals are taking advantage of non-operating traffic lights plaguing the roads to steal valuables from cars caught in the traffic.

Despite a recent break-in load-shedding, many areas within the City of Johannesburg are currently plagued with non-functioning traffic lights.

This has led to an accumulation of traffic at these intersections, causing severe congestion that can last for hours.

The resulting traffic delays have created a perfect opportunity for criminals to carry out smash-and-grab incidents, leaving many motorists feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

According to Gauteng law enforcement, thieves disguise themselves as beggars or vendors, scout vehicles in traffic for accessible personal belongings, and strike at the first opportunity.

Additionally, Security experts noted that traffic lights across the country remain a hotspot for hijackings and cautioned South African motorists to stay alert while filling up, note their surroundings and suspicious characters in the area, and keep their doors locked.

Areas flagged by law enforcement for these crimes include:

Alexandra
Beyers Naude Drive
Crown Interchange
Diepsloot
Johannesburg CBD
Malibongwe Drive
Midrand
Moroka (Soweto)
Orange Farm
Randburg

The recent spate of smash-and-grab incidents has followed another similar one that recently occurred on the M1 freeway in Johannesburg.

During the rush hour traffic on the M1-M2 freeway split, a group of armed robbers took advantage of the gridlock traffic and robbed several motorists at gunpoint.

The motorists had nowhere to go and were forced to surrender their valuables, including cell phones.

According to reports, the criminals behind this act are believed to be part of illegal mining operations in the area.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety of people who commute on the highways in Gauteng during peak-hour traffic.

In response to the incident, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has ordered a maximum mobilisation of officers along Gauteng highways and other strategic locations during peak hours to avoid such incidents in the future.

The SAPS Highway Patrol, SAPS Airwing, and Gauteng Flying Squad units have also been assigned to conduct regular patrols on routes identified as high-risk.

This move by the SAPS aims to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent such incidents from happening again.

Speaking to eNCA, the spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Xolani Fihla, said the increased police patrols on dangerous roads have yielded both positive and negative results.

While minor crimes have decreased, the JMPD has noticed an increase in serious vehicle-related crimes.

Fihla stated that smash-and-grab incidents have reduced, but crimes like robberies with aggravating circumstances have increased.

The JMPD advises motorists to remain vigilant on the road and report any crimes they witness to help the authorities catch the thieves.

Source: Affluencer

The main reason these cars are hijacked in South Africa

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:46:03 +0000

Hijackers in South Africa commonly target Fords, Nissans, Toyotas, and VWs, which are in high demand on the black market across the continent.

This is according to Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann, who told BusinessTech earlier this year that vehicle hijackings are largely a business driven by demand and supply.

For example, While these models have historically been at high risk, the RAV 4 and Toyota Corolla Cross have climbed the high-risk scale, with the Corolla Cross only having been launched in the country in November 2021.

Since then, the crossover has consistently been on the best-selling lists over the course of 2023/24 – selling over 22,000 and earning fourth place on Naamsa’s top 10 list of best-selling cars last year.

It has remained within the top five through most of the first half of 2024. This remains true for other Toyoas (such as the Hilux), VWs (Polos), and Fords (the Ranger).

“Hijackers target specific vehicles for a specific purpose and market. The demand for Toyotas, VWs, Fords, and Nissans remains high on the black market,” he said.

As a result, Bartmann highlighted the most hijacked cars among these brands – based on the Fidelity SecureDrive base for 2023.

According to Fidelity’s latest data, the seven most high-risk models, in no specific order, are:

Toyota Fortuner (GD6 and D4D);
Toyota Hilux (GD6 and D4D);
Toyota Corolla Cross;
Toyota RAV 4;
VW Polo (especially hatchbacks);
Nissan NP200; and
Ford Ranger (both double and single cabs).

It has been reported that the Fortuner and Hilux vehicles are stolen mostly for their engines, while the Corolla Cross and RAV4 are primarily taken across the border into neighbouring countries.

This is because these vehicles are well-equipped to handle African roads. Evidence of interest in cars that can manage the harsh road conditions in Africa by criminals was also mentioned by insurer Santam.

Its report noted a shift away from older, low-value vehicles with limited security requirements to more expensive double cabs and SUVs, including Toyota Landcruisers and Prados.

This aligned with the experiences of private security companies such as Fidelity ADT.

According to Fidelity, around 30% of all stolen and hijacked vehicles in the last year were taken across the border from South Africa.

Hotspot areas

In South Africa, the number of car hijackings has been increasing every year, with some provinces experiencing a greater rise in hijackings than others.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently presented the latest quarterly crime statistics from October to December 2023.

According to the report, 5,973 cars were hijacked during this three-month period, equivalent to approximately 66 cars being stolen daily.

This figure represents a 6.5% increase from the same period in 2022.

Carjackings are most common in South Africa’s most populated regions, such as Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, and the Western Cape.

The top hijacking hotspots for the three most populated provinces are listed below.

Gauteng:

Ivory Park
Moroka
Loate
Orange Farms
Eldorado Park

Kwa-Zulu Natal:

Umlazi
Mariannhill

Western Cape:

Philippi East
Harare
Nyanga
Mfuleni
Delft

Source: BusinessTech

Distracted driving: Hands-free doesn’t mean risk-free

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:13:39 +0000

With nearly 60% of drivers admitting to hands-free cellphone use while driving, it’s time to rethink our habits. Fatal crashes from distraction remain high despite laws and advancements in technology. Human factors engineer warns against complacency, emphasizing the dangers of multitasking behind the wheel. Even third-party apps and driving automation systems demand attention. As April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, let’s prioritize safety and set better examples, starting with ourselves.

Do you ever use your cellphone while driving? Don’t feel too guilty about saying yes – nearly 60% of drivers admit to using their phone in hands-free mode while driving.

But don’t become complacent either. Using your cellphone in hands-free mode while driving is not a perfectly safe activity, despite the impression you might be getting from laws, marketing messages and the behavior of people around you.

Fatal crashes caused by driver distraction have not gone down significantly over time: Distraction caused 14% of fatal crashes in 2017 and 13% of fatal crashes in 2021. Given that these numbers are calculated based on police-reported crashes, many experts believe the actual number of crashes caused by driver distraction is much higher. For example, real-world crash data from teens indicates that 58% of their crashes are due to driver distraction.

A human factors engineer studies how drivers interact with technology. There is a gap between what people are told and what people should do when it comes to using your cellphone behind the wheel.

Hands-free calling

Most U.S. states ban hand-held cellphone use while driving but allow hands-free devices. However, hands-free devices are still distracting. Talking on a hands-free phone and driving is multitasking, and humans are not good at doing two cognitively demanding tasks at the same time.

For example, having a phone conversation in hands-free mode while driving causes you to stop looking out for hazards on the road and gets you into more close calls where you slam on the brakes than if you were not on the phone.

These detrimental effects last even after you end your call. There is a hangover effect: You can remain mentally distracted nearly 27 seconds after you finish using your cellphone. At 65 miles per hour, you’ve traveled nearly half a mile in 27 seconds.

Third-party apps

Third-party apps that connect your smartphone to your car’s interface, such ass Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, encourage you to use your phone in hands-free mode while driving. You can control things like music, navigation, text messaging and phone calls using voice commands and the car’s interface. IPhone users can connect their phones to more than 800 car models and Android phone users more than 500 models.

But is using these third-party apps while driving safe? Fifty-three percent of people say that if carmakers put the technology in vehicles, they must be safe. Though these third-party apps make cellphone use hands-free, they unintentionally cause you to look away from the road for dangerous amounts of time and they slow your reaction time.

Law-enforcement officers would like to remind you that distracted driving is a threat to the people around you, not just yourself.

Driving automation and distraction

Recent advances in technology have made driving a safer activity. Systems such as Cadillac Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot control your steering and acceleration in limited situations, but they don’t mean you can text at will. Though it’s often lost in the marketing and enthusiasm for the systems, you are still required to pay attention to the road when you’re using them.

Research has shown that drivers using Level 2 automation, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering, are more likely to take their eyes off the road. Research also shows that watching a video or doing anything distracting while using these systems is unsafe – you stop looking at the road, and when you need to respond, it takes more time.

Some systems work to keep you focused on driving by monitoring your eye or head position to make sure you’re looking straight ahead. If your eyes are off the road for more than a few seconds, the systems alert you to bring your attention back to driving. This makes it difficult to get distracted by your phone.

Distracted driving awareness

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving – in hands-free mode, using a third-party app or when using driving automation – still claims thousands of lives each year in the U.S. Despite continual advances in vehicle technology, cellphone use while driving is likely to remain a challenging problem for the foreseeable future.

To discourage distracted driving, it’s important to look back to see what’s worked in the past to keep roads safe. Modifying the culture around distracted driving as well as comprehensive education, training and media campaigns, similar to “Click It or Ticket” to encourage seat belt use, are good examples of what works. To that end, on April 1, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign to discourage distracted driving.

And for all of those who drive with children in the car, be sure to model safe behavior – they are watching and learning from you.

Source: BizNews

Beware of malpractice when using towing services

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:44:49 +0000

Motorists can call Satra 24/7 for free advice and arrange for help on 0861 0 Satra (0861 0 72872).

Tow truck operators provide a valuable service to motorists, specifically after a collision.

According to Arrive Alive, they are often the first to arrive at an accident scene and have been known, on many occasions, to help the disorientated or injured.

Additionally, these individuals work with the authorities to clear accident scenes to avoid further collisions and restore traffic flow.

However, Arrive Alive said some operators do not act reasonably. It said the public has a right to be protected against such operators.

Some malpractices identified by Arrive Alive:

Bribing corrupt police officers to ensure they are first at the scene of an accident.
Not informing motorists of all the costs involved in recovering their vehicle.
Claiming excessive recovery and storage costs.

To lessen the impact of these operators on motorists, The South African Towing and Recovery Association (Satra) and the United Towing Association of South Africa (UTASA) confirmed that many of these risks exist and identified the need for the industry to be regulated.

Satra has offered to assist motorists and guide them through the process, whether a breakdown or an accident.

Motorists can call Satra 24/7 for free advice and arrange for help on 0861 0 Satra (0861 0 72872).

When a motorist is in a situation where help is required, they should not be forced into making a decision.

Although several recovery operators might arrive at the collision scene, it is the motorist’s decision who should assist in the recovery.

The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 stipulates in Section 61(3) that “…no person shall remove a vehicle involved in an accident, except to sufficiently allow the passage of traffic, without the permission of the owner, driver or operator of such vehicle or a person who may lawfully take possession of such vehicle”.

Information from Arrive Alive.

Source: Germiston City News

Hip-hop drives motorists into a rollercoaster of chaos: study

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:02:56 +0000

Hip-hop is the most distracting music genre, with albums by artists Young Thug, Doja Cat, Future, Gunna, 2 Chainz and Metro Boomin scoring in the top 10 highest for distraction

Motorists wanting a smooth and safe commute are advised to steer clear of hip-hop and Afrobeat tracks, which have emerged as the most distracting music genres and can race your heartbeat faster than your odometer.

R&B and gospel tend to be the least distracting, according to research commissioned by Budget Insurance, analysing newly released Spotify Wrapped data on South Africa’s most streamed songs and artists of 2023.

Researchers ranked the tunes on criteria, including loudness, beats per minute and how energetic the song is — which can affect driver focus — to get to the “distraction score”.

Three of the most-streamed South African songs scored more than 70% on the distraction scale: Mthandeni SK’s Paris (79%)’, Dave’s Sprinter (72%) and Rema’s Calm Down (72%).

Hip-hop and amapiano songs by Soa Mattrix, Gunna, Lil Durk, Lady Zamar, Drake, 21 Savage, Latinover Pounds and Kabza De Small also rank highly for distraction, “so these musical troublemakers could take your car for a wilder ride than you bargained for”, the study found.

Other songs not a good idea in rush-hour traffic include Young Thug’s Business is Business and Doja Cat’s Scarlet.

Kabza De Small’s Isimo brings amapiano to the list, “turning your commute into a dance-off on wheels,” the study found, while Future’s Wait For You may make you anything but patient with its beat. These artists’ albums have average distraction scores of more than 60.

The research found that Yahyuppiyah by Uncle Waffles has the lowest distraction score of 33.92%. The artist also scores a smooth ride with Peacock Revisit.

De Mthuda’s Sgudi Snyc will sync with your ride as do home-grown gems Spirit Of Praise’s gospel hit Thath’Indawo and Kelvin Momo’s Sukakude.

Based on accident claims data for 2023, the safest drivers hail from the Northern Cape, Free State and Limpopo.

For cities, the best drivers are in Rustenburg, Centurion and Pietermaritzburg.

KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng recorded the highest number of car crashes, with Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town the cities with the least safe drivers.

There is a caveat though.

“When considering car accident trends over the past two years, the provinces that have seen the biggest percentage increases in number of claims were Mpumalanga (+31%), Western Cape (+22%) and Gauteng (+21%), with Centurion (+54%), Rustenburg (+39%) and Cape Town (+36%),” the insurer said.

Tips for driving like a ‘good South African’:

Volume control: lower the beat and avoid a traffic jam in your mind. Loud music impairs your focus and prevents you picking up important traffic cues around you. So, turn down the volume and drive with clarity.
Melodic mood booster: create a playlist or choose a radio station that uplifts your mood and encourages a relaxed mindset. R&B, gospel and amapiano are among the least distracting music genres.
Calm commute: avoid raging symphonies or rock concerts. It’s not advisable to drive when you’re frustrated or angry. For example, AC/DC’s Thunderstruck hits 133bpm which can set your heart rate racing.
The quiet drive: sometimes silence is golden. On occasion you should try to tune out entirely to ease the stress and enjoy a peaceful drive without music.
Keep your eye on the prize: that means the road. Did you know South Africa has one of the highest road crash rates in the world with about 25% caused by cellphone use?

Source: TimesLIVE

Gauteng and Cape Town Had the Most Car Accidents in 2023

Shaun Marshall — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:05:08 +0000

Budget Insurance has released its findings based on accidents reported in 2023 to determine which provinces and cities have the best drivers.

According to accident claims data from 2023, the Northern Cape, Freestate and Limpopo are the three provinces with the lowest number of accident claims which is logical considering the amount of registered vehicles on the roads in these provinces. Additionally, East London, Rustenburg, Centurion, and Pietermaritzburg were highlighted as cities with the lowest accident claims in 2023.

“Music can make car journeys good fun, but do consider the below safety measures to help you keep your cool and ensure you are driving like a Good South African each time you’re behind the wheel.” – Head of Budget Insurance, Tyrone Lowther.

In contrast, the provinces with the highest number of accident claims, in ascending order, were KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng. In terms of the cities with the “worst” drivers, again in ascending order, were Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Interestingly, over the last two years, several provinces’ number of accident claims has increased. Mpumalanga saw a 31% increase, the Western Cape rose by 22%, and Gaunteng increased by 22%. Budget Insurance has also highlighted the increases in various cities, such as Centurion increased by 54%, Rustenburg experienced an increase of 39%, and Cape Town’s accident claim figures by 36%.

Here is a list ranking each province from the least to most car accidents:

Northern Cape
Free State
Limpopo
North West
Mpumalanga
Eastern Cape
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Western Cape
Gauteng

This is how the major cities rank, ranging from least to most:

Rustenburg
Centurion
Pietermaritzburg
Port Elizabeth
Bloemfontein
Durban
Johannesburg
Pretoria
Cape Town

Interestingly, Budget Insurance has also stated that the music that drivers listen to affects their driving. Data suggested that hip hop was the most distracting music genre, whereas R&B and gospel were “good genres for driving to”.

Source: carmag