Not all vehicle accidents are because of driver errors—some roads are notorious for being dangerous and challenging.
More businesses need to be aware of high-risk roads and understand the dangers to proactively avoid them. Fleet-based businesses can benefit from fleet management systems equipped with useful tools to help drivers avoid incidents on dangerous roads.
Take a look at our list of the most dangerous roads in the world and South Africa, and learn how to avoid incidents when driving on one of these deadly roads.
Poor road conditions, narrow lanes, and adverse weather conditions can turn any road into a deadly route. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 most dangerous roads in the world, ranked from least to most dangerous.
This highway connects Fortaleza, Ceará, a Northeastern metropolis, to the Southern city of Jaguarão in Rio Grande do Sul. It is the longest highway in Brazil that is completely paved. This road is also responsible for thousands of road deaths yearly and is known for its terrible road surfaces, poor weather and poor signage. This road requires truck drivers to be alert and constantly aware of their surroundings, as there is a danger of cargo theft by armed gangs because of the lack of police patrol.
Claiming the lives of many pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists over the years, this highway is known as one of the most dangerous roads. This is because of a lack of traffic law enforcement compared to the busyness of the road. Notorious for chaotic traffic and reckless drivers, this road is also known for poor maintenance, an absence of road signs and no designated motorcycle/bicycle lanes, adding to the danger. It is a high-collision road that causes pedestrian and motorist fatalities too.
Initially built in 1974 as a supply road to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, this highway has become a popular transportation route through Alaska. The over 1200-kilometre oil pipeline system runs through the State, and the highway runs directly parallel to the pipeline. It is considered a dangerous road because it passes through very remote areas, making it difficult to get help in case of an incident or accident.
This gravel-road highway suffers severe traffic congestion caused by huge trucks, tractor-trailers and other heavy vehicles. With added potholes and loose rocks, it becomes even more difficult to navigate. The U.S. Department has even prescribed eight rules for travelling this road, including that big trucks have the right of way. Smaller vehicle drivers and motorcyclists are also discouraged from using this route because it is so challenging to drive, especially when there are sudden weather changes that add to the danger.
Set high in the Himalayan mountain range, this mountain pass connects India’s Ladakh and Jammu Kashmir regions. While loved by adventure seekers and frequently described as a thrilling journey, this road is among the most dangerous because of the steep drop-off, narrowness, and lack of guardrails. During the rainy season and the winter months, the road is typically closed because of adverse weather, such as heavy rain or snowfall, worsening the road condition.
This road is number one on the list, starting from Bayburt (the provincial capital in the Anatolia region) to Of (a small town in the Trabzon Province). This pass makes our list of dangerous roads mainly because of its narrowness, steep drop-offs, and difficult curves. It is often closed from October to June/July because of adverse weather conditions. While it serves as a working road for many locals, adrenaline-seeking tourists and cyclists are also avid fans.
As alluring as the idea of travelling these dangerous roads may be, especially for adventure seekers, some of these routes are known as dangerous because of their hazardous environments.
Our list of most dangerous roads in South Africa is based on the number of fatalities that occur around the festive season. During the 2023/2024 festive season, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga revealed that 1,427 people died in road accidents and 80% of these fatal crashes were because of human factors such as reckless driving. Road fatalities remain high, but the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has identified specific roads where accidents frequently occur and generated a list of the most dangerous roads over the years.
The RTMC released a list of 10 of the most dangerous roads in South Africa for 2023/2024. This list is based on the frequency of fatal crashes on these routes.
Here are the top five most dangerous roads, ranging from the most dangerous to the least dangerous:
Regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in South Africa, the R573 Moloto road has had the highest number of crashes and fatalities over the last 5 years. According to the Department of Transport, it is a critical route carrying about 60,000 commuters daily, including buses, taxis, private cars and trucks. The number of crashes is because of poor road conditions, lack of visible markings and road signs, poor maintenance and stray animals/wildlife that get on the roads. SANRAL plans to upgrade this dangerous road over the next few years. However, dangerous driving has increased the number of fatal accidents. To ensure safer travel for all commuters, motorists should drive more responsibly.
The N2 Dutywa road runs from Cape Town in the Western Cape through the Eastern Cape and right to Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal and is known for featuring one of the most scenic routes in South Africa called the “Garden Route”. However, in 2023/2024, this road became more notorious because of a tragic truck accident that claimed 8 lives that December. The major causes of accidents on this route include poor road surfaces because of potholes, cracks and ongoing patching repairs. The lack of road markings and signage poses even more safety risks and causes vehicle collisions. Dangerous or reckless driving also increases the likeliness of fatal collisions on this route.
The R71 connects Polokwane, Phalaborwa and Tzaneen. This is a popular road used by truck drivers and is also frequented by taxis and private vehicles. It also passes by Peladi Mall, which is frequently used as a rest stop for people travelling long distances to Limpopo. It's a critical road for long-distance commuters, and irresponsible driving frequently results in fatalities. For example, in a 2023 Times Live report, an unsafe overtaking by a taxi caused a crash between a taxi, a truck, and a car, resulting in the death of 19 people.
As the main highway in the Eastern Cape, the N2 runs from Cape Town to George, Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha, Port Shepstone, Durban, and Ermelo. It is a popular route that features a gravel mountain pass and is used by truck drivers, commuters, and people going on vacation. Dangerous and reckless driving is the number one cause of accidents on this route.
The RTMC’s 2023 report on bus and truck accidents reveals that most of the crashes on this route are caused by head-on collisions. This road is prone to collisions caused by various factors, including pedestrian and animal traffic in more remote areas, a lack of road markings and signage, and poor road conditions.
This Eastern Cape route was officially declared a dangerous road in 2019 because it is a high crash zone. Sharp bends, slippery roads, stray animals, and jaywalking pedestrians mostly cause accidents on this road, while speeding and other irresponsible driving behaviour have also resulted in collisions on this route.
Each year, SANRAL, the Department of Transport and the RTMC attempt to improve road safety on these roads around the festive season. Let’s look at seven things you can do to avoid incidents on dangerous roads when you need to use them.
Whether you are travelling down the longest highway in Brazil or taking the scenic route through Sani Pass in South Africa, these driving tips can help you avoid incidents on dangerous roads.
Tip #1: Avoid dangerous driving
Driving under the influence, overtaking dangerously, speeding and tailgating, and other careless or dangerous driving can cause major accidents. It's better to avoid dangerous driving when driving on dangerous roads because every road can have unexpected hazards.
Tip #2: Avoid distracted driving
Distracted driving refers to actions like cell phone use or smoking. These dangerous distractions take your attention off the road and keep your hands off the wheel. To avoid incidents caused by texting and driving, for example, work on limiting distracted driving while travelling on dangerous roads.
Tip #3: Maintain a safe following distance
Driving closely behind other vehicles increases the risk of an accident should the driver ahead of you abruptly stop. Avoid tailgating on dangerous roads, as this can cause fatal rear-end collisions.
Tip #4: Exercise caution when driving at night
Because of the reduced visibility, you should account for additional risks when driving at night. Even experienced drivers will have difficulty driving on dangerous roads at night. The only way to reduce the frequency of accidents is to drive cautiously.
Tip #5: Slow down in adverse weather
Rain, winds, snow, and other adverse weather can create a danger on the road and cause collisions. While the risk seems beyond our control, you can avoid collisions by simply slowing down when driving through harsh weather.
Tip #6: Vehicle maintenance
Regular maintenance helps keep drivers, passengers, and others on the roadway safer. Ensuring your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition is a smart way to avoid vehicle breakdowns or other incidents when travelling on dangerous roads. Simple checks on your brake lights and windscreen wipers can help you avoid incidents.
Tip #7 Cautious driving to avoid animals on the road
Distractions caused by animals on the road are quite common and may cause collisions. Although there is no secure way to avoid an animal suddenly jumping in front of your car, you can avoid a fatal crash by driving cautiously in areas with animal crossing warning signs. Take other measures, like minimising distractions and being more aware of your surroundings to safely react when an animal crosses your path.
Dangerous roads affect not only individuals, but your fleet can also encounter bad roads during deliveries, site visits and cross-country journeys. Our Cartrack solutions are built to ensure driver and fleet safety even when they are travelling on dangerous roads.
Our solutions include:
Monitor your fleet and drivers in real time with Cartrack’s advanced GPS tracking technology and telematics. Fleet managers can track vehicle location, driver performance, and other vehicle information to ensure driver and fleet safety at all times and on all roads. Stay in live contact with your fleet vehicles’ positions so you can organise emergency services immediately if you need to.
By monitoring their performance, you equip your team with better driving skills and knowledge about using dangerous roads. Generate driver-specific reports to identify dangerous and distracted driving habits like speeding, harsh cornering, or cell phone use. With this information, you can intervene and offer specialised vehicle training to ensure driver safety while navigating challenging terrain.
Identify and address potential vehicle issues before a breakdown occurs so your driver is not at risk while travelling on dangerous, remote routes. With CANBus integration and Cartrack’s fleet management software, fleet managers can get proactive about maintenance by setting up service reminders. Keeping vehicles roadworthy is one of the smartest ways to avoid incidents on dangerous roads, and with regular vehicle maintenance, you’re safeguarding your drivers, fleet, and cargo.
Cartrack's route planning tool helps you create designated routes for your driver to get from Point A to Point B. Coupled with route optimisation, you can help your fleet use the most efficient and fuel-saving routes based on traffic, road, and weather conditions, ensuring you don’t travel on dangerous roads if you don’t have to.
Whether you’re travelling on one of the most dangerous roads in the world or right here in South Africa, Cartrack’s safety solutions and tips will help you navigate treacherous terrain.
Contact us here for more information.
Discover the world's most dangerous roads & get expert tips for driving more safely and avoiding incidents when you can’t avoid travelling on them.
