Inrix is a global transportation analytics solutions company. Its 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard reported that Capetonians lose more than 80 hours due to traffic congestion every year while Johannesburg and Pretoria drivers lose upwards of 42 hours.

The demand for apps like Waze exponentially increases over peak travel times — such as school holidays and long weekends  — and in tourist hot spots, such as the Western and Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Momentum says that road safety is one of Momentum Insure's three proactive safety pillars to keep its clients and their loved ones safe, which is in line with its core purpose of keeping what matters most to the people of South Africa safe, so they have the freedom to live. 

"With more than 1 000 locations nationally, Waze monitors traffic conditions across the country and shares this data with its database of more than one million subscribers to ensure they get to their destination safely," says Dipesh Radia, chief commercial officer at Momentum Insure.

"Waze can also alert drivers to hijacking hot spots, poor road conditions — such as major potholes — and construction," adds Radia.

In addition to getting users home on time, the app alerts drivers to their nearest:
  • fuel station
  • supermarket
  • police station, or
  • hospital.

"If you're travelling to a new town or city, this kind of data can be very useful and will give you added confidence if you're navigating during load shedding — contributing to a safer driving experience overall," adds Radia.

The duo says that by using the app, Waze subscribers are passively contributing to traffic and other road data and can take a more active role by sharing road reports, accidents or any hazards along their route.

"Waze is also home to an active community of online map editors who ensure that the data in their areas is as up-to-date as possible preventing drivers from getting lost and wasting valuable time. Our partnership with Waze is another way in which we're helping drivers to stay safe on our roads," concludes Radia.

For more information, visit www.momentum.co.za. You can also follow Momentum Insure on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.