Fatigue As A Contributing Factor To Road Traffic Accidents In South Africa: An Educational Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Study

This study describes the effect of driver fatigue on the frequency and rates of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in South Africa, guided by two primary research questions: (1) What is the impact of driver fatigue on the incidence and rates of RTA in South Africa? (2) What are the implications of road safety interventions? Drawing from five epidemiological studies by Rad, Rosseinnia, Mousavi, Shekari, Kouchakinejad-Eramsadati, and Khodadadi-Hassankiadeh (2024), Useche, Alonso, Cendales and Llamazares (2021), Mekonnen, Tesfaye, Moges and Gebremedin (2019), Bener, Yildirim, Özkan and Lajunen (2017), and Smith (2016) with a combined sample of 4,653 respondents. This research synthesises international data that hold significant relevance for South Africa's socioeconomic and transportation context. The findings consistently indicate that driver fatigue markedly increases the risk of RTA due to impaired cognitive and behavioural functioning, including slower reaction times, poor decision making, and increased risk-taking behaviours. Fatigue is particularly prevalent in transportation sectors characterised by long or irregular working hours, such as the freight and the minibus taxi industry, key components of the South African road network. Additional influencing factors include alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, and work-related stress, which collectively exacerbate the risk of accidents. The implications for road safety are considerable. The study advocates for a multifaceted intervention strategy that includes regulatory reforms to limit driving hours, enforceable fatigue-specific legislation, investment in rest-stop infrastructure, technological advancements such as driver monitoring systems, and public education campaigns. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for research tailored to the South African context and standardised fatigue measurement tools to inform local policy and enforcement practices. Ultimately, this meta-analysis highlights the critical need to recognise and address driver fatigue as a national road safety priority. Implementing evidence-based interventions tailored to the South African environment will be crucial to reducing fatigue-related accidents and fostering a safer and more resilient transportation system.