Strictest road laws in the world – South Africa vs the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, and more – BusinessTech

A new study has revealed that South Africa has the most lenient road laws compared with 17 other countries around the world.

This study was conducted by a group of experts from Compare the Markets Australia (CMA), who ranked the countries based on blood alcohol limits, speed limits, mobile phone restrictions and seatbelt requirements.

CMA noted that to calculate the index, it scored each country out of ten in each of the six metrics it used. The metrics were scored using the following methods:

• Blood alcohol limit: the limit on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving. A lower limit received a higher score out of 10;

• Highway speed limit: the speed limit on highways and motorways (two or more lane carriageways) unless otherwise signed. A lower speed limit received a higher score out of 10;

• Residential speed limit: the speed limit in built-up urban or residential areas unless otherwise signed. A lower speed limit received a higher score out of 10;

• Rural speed limit: the speed limit on non-residential, non-highway roads (typically two-way countryside roads) unless otherwise signed. A lower speed limit received a higher score out of 10;

• Mobile phone restrictions: the number of restricted uses of a mobile phone for drivers in a vehicle. A higher number of restrictions received a higher score out of five; and

• Seatbelt requirements: countries were given a score out of three. If seatbelts were not mandatory, a country would score zero. If they were required but not enforced, a country scored one. If seatbelts where mandatory but had exemptions, nations would score two. Nations with mandatory seatbelts with no (or very few) exemptions scored three.

CMA also noted that its index isn’t a measure of how strict Police and Governments are in terms of fines and enforcement but how much room drivers have before they break the law.

According to the index, Norway ranks as the strictest country, with a score of 7.09/10. This is followed by France (5.94/10), while Colombia and Denmark (5.84/10) are tied in 3rd.

The index noted that Norway has a relatively low blood alcohol limit of 0.02BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration), lower speed limits on urban streets and rural roads, and mandatory seatbelt requirements. It also requires all cars to have their lights on regardless of the time of day.

South Africa

South Africa was considered the least strict country on the index, with a score of 3.13/10.

CMA noted that this was largely based on having higher speed limits for highways, residential areas and rural roads, despite having lower BAC limits than the US.

Also, while seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers, there were more exemptions, such as making regular stops for deliveries, noted the report.

The USA (3.54/10) was the second-least strict, following behind South Africa but ahead of Chile (4.06/10). The United States was ranked so low due to having the highest blood alcohol limit of 0.08BAC (the same amount as the UK and Mexico) and some high-speed limits for highways and country roads.

Chile was ranked slightly stricter than the USA due to having a lower alcohol limit (0.03BAC vs 0.08BAC in America) and a slightly lower rural road speed limit.

The table below shows the data and indexed score for all 17 countries.

Read: South Africa is home to the most dangerous drivers in the world – here’s how we compare