Department of Transport exploring measures of creating a reliable road safety database system
Transport Minister Ms Dipuo Peters has announced that the Department of Transport will embark on a process of investigating ways of ensuring a reliable statistical databank for road related incidents.
The Minister will soon consult various potential stakeholders within government, the private sector and civil society to map out an all-inclusive approach that would see each role player making a positive contribution towards this cause.
“A reliable databank wouldn’t only assist us in ensuring that we have accurate figures regarding road-related incidents, fatal crashes in particular, but would guide how we respond to challenges of road carnage besetting our country.
We need scientific analysis to unearth the exact causes of some of the horrific crashes we have witnessed on our roads. Each and every road-related incident, particularly the major ones with fatal consequences, should be thoroughly analysed in order for us to come up with remedial actions that would prevent further recurrences,” says Minister Peters.
The department and other law enforcement authorities currently depend on the South African Police Service for information on road-related incidents.
The Minister says the planned approach would see the Departments of Transport, Police, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Social Development and relevant state entities working together to address preventative and responsive measures.
“We also need to have our research bodies in government on board to explore innovative means of addressing the challenge of road carnage. Traffic authorities in all three spheres of government should work closely together to ensure sharing of information and best practices,” says Minister Peters.
All these measures will eventually ensure that South Africa complies with standards set by world bodies such as the United Nations World Health Organisation.
For inquiries please contact:
Tiyani Ponto-Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
