South Africa's road safety challenge is costing the country far more than lives. It is also undermining economic growth, legitimate businesses and consumer confidence, according to the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).
The organisation says that stronger roadworthiness standards and more effective enforcement have the potential to formalise a significant portion of South Africa's automotive aftermarket, creating a safer, more competitive and more inclusive industry while delivering substantial economic benefits.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), road crashes cost the South African economy an estimated 198.3 billion (RTMC State of Road Safety Report 2025), with human, road and environmental and vehicle factors all key contributors. Yet approximately 80% of vehicles on South African roads still do not undergo annual roadworthiness testing, despite the country's vehicle parc continuing to age. The average age of vehicles on South African roads now stands at 10 years and 11 months, making regular maintenance and quality repairs more important than ever.
"Road safety is often viewed solely as a transport or law enforcement issue. We believe it should also be recognised as an economic development strategy," says Ipeleng Mabusela, Chief Executive Officer of the RMI.
"Every unsafe vehicle on our roads represents a potential tragedy, but it also reflects a missed opportunity to strengthen the formal economy. When quality standards are enforced consistently, consumers are protected, responsible businesses are rewarded and government benefits from a larger, more sustainable tax base."
Mabusela says the current environment places compliant businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
"Thousands of ethical workshops, parts suppliers and service providers invest heavily in meeting regulatory requirements, employing skilled technicians and maintaining professional standards. Unfortunately, they are often forced to compete against operators who face little oversight and can undercut prices by using substandard parts or bypassing compliance altogether. That is neither sustainable nor fair."
The RMI believes improved road safety standards should form a central pillar of the South African Automotive Masterplan's aftermarket implementation programme. Among the measures proposed are mandatory Periodic Vehicle Testing (PVT) for all vehicles, stronger National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) enforcement against substandard automotive parts, and a practical, risk-based compliance framework that enables small and micro enterprises to transition into the formal economy without imposing unnecessary administrative burdens.
Mabusela says higher standards should not become barriers to entry.
"Approximately 80% of businesses operating in the aftermarket are small enterprises. We need a compliance model that raises standards while recognising the realities facing emerging businesses. The objective is to bring more operators into the formal economy, not to exclude them," says Mabusela.
The benefits extend well beyond industry.
The RMI estimates that introducing mandatory periodic vehicle inspections could significantly reduce the devastating human cost of road crashes. Fewer accidents could equally lower healthcare expenditure, reduce insurance losses, improve fleet reliability and extend vehicle life through better maintenance practices.
"Roadworthiness should become a non-negotiable control point throughout the vehicle ownership cycle. When motorists know their vehicles are safe, when repairs are carried out to recognised standards and when quality parts become the norm rather than the exception, everyone benefits," says Mabusela.
"The automotive aftermarket is already one of South Africa's largest employment sectors. We believe with closer collaboration between government, regulators and industry to accelerate the implementation of nationally consistent vehicle safety standards that both protect motorists and strengthen South Africa's economy, it can become an even more powerful driver of inclusive growth, skills development and investment while making our roads significantly safer,” concludes Mabusela.