National Government can do more to prevent road deaths

According to reports, over 500 people have already been killed in road accidents since the beginning of this year's festive season.

The 2011/12 festive season runs from 1 December 2011 to 9 January 2012.

Over 1550 people were killed during last year's December/January holiday period. 

National government needs to act now to prevent a similar loss of life during this year's festive season. 

It is incumbent on every single motorist to take personal responsibility for road safety. People who speed, drive unroadworthy vehicles or drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol are potential killers.

But, while individuals must take responsibility for their behaviour, government needs to play its part to curb reckless behaviour on our roads. That is the Democratic Alliance's approach where we govern.

The Western Cape Provincial Government's 'Safely Home' road safety programme is driven by three departments: Health, Transport and Community Safety. This integrated strategy to tackling road safety is unique to the Western Cape. 

It includes initiatives such as:

·         The ‘Name and Shame' campaign, which has seen the Western Cape Transport Ministry naming and shaming approximately 750 convicted drunk drivers since September 2010.

·         The recently launched 'Crash Witness' campaign, which has seen videos of real road accidents being flighted on the provincial goverment's website. Over 25,000 people have visited the 'Crash Witness' page since its launch at the beginning of December, and the videos have been viewed nearly 50,000 times.

·         A partnership between the Provincial Government, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and commuter group the South African National Commuters Organisation (SANCO) to create the broadest possible platform for getting through to public transport operators and users on their rights and responsibilities. Volunteers from SANTACO and SANCO will be active at taxi ranks, bus stops and, in SANTACO's case, at roadblocks, around the province to identify un-roadworthy vehicles and address drivers on road safety.

·         The promotion of projects which emphasize seatbelt use and particularly safe restraint of children. In this regard the Provincial Transport Ministry is considering a provincial regulation which will bring child restraint laws in line with international best practice. The Provincial Road Traffic Act, set to be introduced next year, will allow the Provincial Transport MEC to pass such regulations.

·         Appeals made by the Provincial Government to motorists to encourage greater awareness of pedestrians. This applies particularly in high risk areas, such as parts of the N1 and N2.

·         The recently launched 'Be a Hero' campaign encourages motorists and taxi drivers to drive responsibly, and to ensure that their friends and passengers return home safely.

·         A partnership with the Retail Motor Industry (RMI), whose members provide free vehicle checks from the end of November for all those intending to use the roads over the festive period.

·         Drunk driving continues to be the biggest contributing factor to road fatalities. The Western Cape Government will hold double its normal number of road blocks over the current two month holiday period. A total of 325 roadblocks will see 320 000 vehicles being pulled over. Visible policing is particularly important during the festive season, as it helps to discourage motorists taking chances and violating the rules of the road.

None of these initiatives can guarantee a decrease in road fatalities. But they can help change behaviour. The fact is that motorists who endanger lives in the Western Cape are more likely to get caught than elsewhere.

We believe that a similar strategy should be adopted nationally so that South Africans are given the best possible chance of reaching their destinations safely this festive season. National government, as well as other provincial governments, need to act now to prevent more senseless bloodshed on our roads.

Statement issued by Manny de Freitas MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Transport, December 18 2011

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