Road rage is a major problem on our roads every day; causing anger, stress, anxiety, and accidents.
Road rage isn't always driver versus driver. Frustration can also build between motorists and pedestrians at crossings, intersections, taxi stops, busy shopping areas and residential streets.
But road safety shouldn't become drivers versus pedestrians.
We're all road users, and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable when something goes wrong. The safest response to frustration is to slow things down, avoid confrontation and give everyone enough time and space to move safely.
According to the RTMC State of Road Safety Report 2025, 58.7% of pedestrian fatalities recorded during 2025 occurred on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Here's how motorists and pedestrians can help reduce conflict and make South African roads safer.
Road rage is more than simply feeling irritated in traffic.
The South African Police Service describes aggressive driving as deliberately unsafe driving behaviour carried out with ill intention or disregard for safety. In extreme situations, aggressive driving can escalate into road rage.
Examples of aggressive behaviour can include deliberately:
Someone making a mistake isn't automatically showing road rage.
That distinction matters.
A pedestrian crossing unexpectedly, a driver missing a turn or someone misunderstanding who should move first can be frustrating but frustration doesn't need to become confrontation.
A pedestrian doesn't have a vehicle body, airbags or other built-in vehicle protection around them.
That means motorists need to be particularly alert anywhere people are likely to cross or walk close to traffic.
South African research into pedestrian safety has also found associations between unsafe driving behaviour and factors including aggression, impulsivity, risk tolerance and attitudes towards the law.
The takeaway is simple:
Being technically right isn't more important than preventing an accident.
Slow down where people are likely to cross
Reduce your speed around:
A pedestrian may make a mistake. As the person controlling the heavier and faster vehicle, staying alert gives you more opportunity to respond safely.
Expect the unexpected
Don't assume someone standing beside the road has seen you.
A pedestrian may be distracted, have limited visibility or simply misjudge your speed.
Look ahead and be prepared to slow down.
Avoid distracted driving
Your phone can wait.
Taking your eyes off the road for even a short period reduces your awareness of pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and changing traffic conditions.
Keep your attention on driving.
Give people time to cross
Impatience can turn an ordinary crossing into an unnecessary confrontation.
Don't aggressively rev, hoot or move towards someone to hurry them across.
Give pedestrians reasonable time and space to cross safely.
Road safety is a shared responsibility.
Pedestrians can reduce their risk by:
Don't assume that a driver has seen you simply because you can see the vehicle.
Wait until you're confident it's safe before crossing.
Eye contact can sometimes help confirm that you've seen one another, but it shouldn't replace normal road-safety checks.
The old version of this article recommended making eye contact as a primary technique.
A safer principle is:
Look for clear confirmation that the other road user has noticed you, but never assume eye contact means it is automatically safe to proceed.
Check the traffic situation itself before moving.
Don't try to win the argument.
SAPS recommends avoiding conflict, controlling your own anger and creating distance from aggressive road users.
If you're driving:
If an aggressive situation becomes threatening, SAPS advises motorists to contact 10111 or drive to the nearest police station.
Miway's guide to dealing with road rage provides additional advice for handling an aggressive-driver situation.
Traffic can test anyone's patience.
Someone walks across unexpectedly. A driver cuts you off. A taxi stops suddenly. The robot changes just as you're approaching.
Your reaction is the part you can control.
Current South African analysis of road rage highlights the importance of recognising escalation early, disengaging, creating distance and prioritising safety over proving who is right.
If you feel yourself getting angry:
A few seconds of frustration isn't worth turning into a dangerous situation.
Alcohol can impair judgement, coordination and decision-making.
The old article focused on both "drunk drivers" and "drunk pedestrians".
The updated message should be simpler:
Don't drive after drinking, and don't put yourself in a dangerous traffic environment when your judgement or coordination is impaired.
For motorists, the responsibility is especially significant because you're controlling a vehicle capable of causing serious harm.
Even careful road users can be involved in accidents.
If a collision occurs:
MiWay's step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident explains the process in more detail.
The circumstances surrounding an incident matter.
Car insurance is designed to provide protection according to the cover, terms, conditions and exclusions in your policy. It shouldn't be treated as protection against the consequences of deliberately dangerous behaviour.
If an incident leads to vehicle damage, give your insurer an accurate account of what happened and provide the information required to assess the car insurance claim.
Don't assume an incident will automatically be covered or declined simply because road rage was involved. The individual circumstances and policy terms need to be considered.
For motorists:
For pedestrians:
For everyone:
Don't turn a mistake into a confrontation.
Yes. Road rage and aggressive behaviour aren't limited to disputes between two motorists. Conflict can also develop between drivers and other road users, including pedestrians.
Avoid engaging or retaliating. Create distance and move towards safety. If you're driving and feel threatened, SAPS advises remaining secure in your vehicle and contacting 10111 or driving to the nearest police station.
No. Even when you believe a driver should stop, confirm that the traffic situation is safe before entering or continuing across the road.
Pedestrians are vulnerable road users because they don't have the physical protection available to occupants of vehicles. Drivers should therefore remain alert and allow sufficient time and space to respond safely.
If an incident results in vehicle damage, whether a car insurance claim is covered depends on the circumstances and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.
Drivers and pedestrians won't always agree.
Someone will eventually make a mistake, move too slowly, misunderstand a signal or get in your way.
What matters is what happens next.
Slow down, create space and don't let a few seconds of frustration turn into something more serious.
For additional road-safety information, read MiWay's road rage safety guide.
And because not every road incident can be prevented, learn more about MiWay car insurance or get a car insurance quote to find cover that suits the way you drive.
