Boot parties

“How many times have you seen a "boot" party where people play loud music from their vehicles and drink alcoholic beverages from a cooler box in the boot?

"And there are also many drive home from social events under the influence thinking the odds are too low to worry about this.

“Many South Africans are guilty of driving under the influence but are the first to point fingers at corrupt law enforcement officers."

Professor Bezuidenhout adds that the current social norms and attitudes in South Africa reflect a position of discontent regarding rules and regulations.

“We are normalising crime and more specifically traffic crimes in our country.

"Once you start to normalise a behaviour it becomes second nature ‘everyone is doing it... and their lack of any respect for traffic rules, lest we not forget the blue light brigades’.

"It is 'normal' to commit a traffic crime because everyone is doing it and the chances of getting away with it is close to 100%."

Failing system

Professor Bezuidenhout adds that many people adapt to dilapidated areas, road disintegration and accept it as part of the failing system.

“They accept social disorganisation, particularly at a young age.

"Factors such as potholes, safety at night, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting contribute to accidents and further exacerbate the issue of road safety and normalisation.

"To exacerbate this issue, a new trend of stealing road signs to sell to certain scrap metal dealers has seen the light.

“Consider the issue of people who deliberately toss their waste and specifically fast food bags with empty plastic and polystyrene containers from their vehicles. If you inquire why they do it, the nonsensical answer is - job creation. There is no forward thinking regarding the impact of waste on the environment, fellow citizens and animals.

k59

Watch VideoSouth Africa's reckless driving culture: What is fuelling the lawlessness?

South Africa's reckless driving culture: What is fuelling the lawlessness?