Acting Director-General of Transport, Mr Mawethu Vilana
Chief Executive Officer of TETA, Mrs Maphefo Anno Fremopong
Chief Operation Officer of RTMC, Mr Gilberto Martins
Representatives of transport agencies and entities
Senior officials from national, provincial and local governments
Distinguished members of the media
Invited guests
Ladies and gentleman
Comrades and friends
Program Director
We meet here today at this auspicious occasion, united in our action to make our roads safer. In March 2010 the UN General Assembly resolution proclaimed a Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 with a goal of stabilizing and then reducing the forecasted level of road traffic fatalities around the world by increasing activities conducted at national, regional and global level.
Ladies and Gentleman
A decade would provide a timeframe for action to encourage political and resource commitments both nationally and globally for investments, improving road safety performance as well as share experiences and knowledge with others.
Activities over the Decade should take place at National and regional levels and focus on the following five pillars:
Pillar 1: Road Safety Management
Encourage the creation of multi-sectoral partnerships and designation of lead agencies with the capacity to develop national road safety strategies, plans and targets, underpinned by the data collection and evidential research to assess countermeasure design and monitor implementation and effectiveness.
Pillar 2: Safer Road Design
Using road infrastructure assessment rating and improved design to raise inherent safety and protective quality of road networks for the benefit of all road users, especially the most vulnerable: pedestrians, bicyclist and motorcyclist.
Pillar 3: Safer Vehicle Design
Encourage universal deployment of improved vehicle safety technologies for both passive and active safety through a combination of harmonis ation of relevant global standards, consumer information schemes and incentives to accelerate the uptake of new technologies.
Pillar 4: Safer Road Users
Develop comprehensive traffic safety programmes to improve road user behaviour. Sustained or increased enforcement of road traffic laws and standards and rules combined with public awareness/education activities that will improve compliance with key road safety rules that reduce the impact of the key risk factors.
Pillar 5: Post Crash Care
Increased responsiveness to post crash emergencies and improve the ability of health systems to provide appropriate and adequate emergency treatment and longer term rehabilitation for crash victims.
As the ANC Led government we have made road safety a priority. The Arrive Alive campaign premised on saving lives through promotion of responsible road use. Today, we can confirm that we mean business when we say in no uncertain terms that we cannot afford to continue to lose over 40 lives every day. These are parents, children, bread winners and family members. Not only are the pain and suffering immeasurable for victims and their families, but diverting scarce resources from other social and economic needs of the country.
Every year, we witness a tragedy of unequalled size. We need more sense of urgency as nobody benefits from this situation. The results are so horrific because of a number of reasons, for instance, it may be as a result of just carelessness, misjudgement or not following traffic rules, and alcohol use, etc.
Traffic safety is indeed important to many of us on a daily basis. Last month we recorded 20 road fatalities in the Province. We do hope that this figure will reduce significantly through:
- Our special operations on our roads
- Our new alcohol testers already distributed to all 10 traffic station
- Our new speed machines that will be rolled out soon
- Our law enforcement campaigns will be enhanced through the deployment of National Traffic Police officers
- Our new fleet of vehicles that will ensure the visibility of traffic officers throughout the Province
Ladies and gentlemen
What we wish to emphasise is the fact that each and every death on our roads is one too many, and that each and every death or serious injury is a tragedy for the individuals, the families and communities and for the nation.
I am pleased to say that Arrive Alive Campaign is still continuing to change the status quo. Provincially, the traffic authorities are participating in the campaign and I trust that they will continue intensify during the Easter Holidays.
Indeed as the ANC Led government we are proud of our achievements. We are certain that during this term we will further accelerate the pace of transformation for the benefit of our people. Road safety for us is not just an issue during a certain period. As I stated earlier, there are daily deaths and injuries on our roads, but as we approach the Easter period and closure of schools, it directs us to heightened road safety campaigns.
I would also like to thank all those men and women in uniform, as you will spend the upcoming holiday period working to keep us all safe. I refer to enforcement officers, emergency services and health personnel. We thank you for making this sacrifice for the benefit of road safety.
Lastly, we better warn those who are a law unto themselves that they should obey traffic rules or else they will face the full might of the law. We will leave no stone unturned as we tighten the grip on lawlessness on our roads.
Let us stand together to ensure the safety of every South African, especially on our roads as we move our country forward!
I thank you!!
Ke ya leboga!!
