season Arrive Alive campaign by MEC for Roads and Transport, M AF Mahlalela,
Lochiel Open Ground
9 December 2006
Programme Director,
Honourable MECs,
Executive mayors and councillors,
Senior officials from government departments,
Officials from local municipalities,
Representatives from Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
Representatives from Sasol, Engen and South African Breweries (SAB)
Representatives from the business community,
Members of the media,
Our road safety ambassadors,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good day,
Last night in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality in this region (Gert
Sibande) we witnessed an important occasion of the launch of the Provincial
Road Safety Strategy.
We again in the same spirit and breath here today, six days after the
national launch of the Arrive Alive campaign in Cullinan, in the province of
Gauteng gather to launch our Arrive Alive campaign with special focus on our
theme of "Cabulela Ekhaya" / "Obey the rules or face the fire."
Programme Director, I must hasten to say that we are delighted to join with
you all here today in our fight to reduce road accidents. This festive season
campaign demonstrates once more how we at partnership level working with all
departments, business, private sector and other organisations are committed to
bringing about a safer driving environment in our province.
At the occasion of the launch of the Provincial Road Safety Strategy, we
have reiterated our philosophy of a better life for all and that we are
custodians of such a noble idea.
This has been realised through one of the greatest advances achieved in
society after the 1994 breakthrough, which is the growth and diversity of
transport options. In particular mass transport modes and private or individual
transport alternatives have made our province accessible to the great majority
of us and have since broadened our horizon and knowledge.
However, as the economy grows so is transport with its diversity hence we
have witnessed the tragedy and loss of death and injury that has become
directly associated with the utilisation of all the modes available to us. As
some of us are aware that the greatest diversity is found on our road network
and truly it is there that the greatest dangers of fatalities and injuries have
been most evident.
Programme Director, ladies and gentleman, last year during the launch of the
Arrive Alive in Delmas we have mentioned that the 2002 World Health
Organisation (WHO) report clearly indicates that road transport systems cause
one of the greatest public health problems in society. The same report further
suggest that the number of traffic fatalities will be more than double over the
next 15 years globally and our province is no exception and traffic deaths will
become the third largest cause of death globally.
If this report is anything to go by, then we are losing the war or battles.
For instance in 2005 we lost 46 drivers compared to 41 in 2004 increase by
five; 69 passengers in 2005 compared to 80 in 2004, 11 decrease; 51 pedestrians
in 2005 compared to 37 in 2004, 14 increase. Overall is 166 in 2005 compared to
158 in 2004 festive season which is an increase of about eight. In terms of our
road safety strategy, we would, on a monthly basis make analysis of crashes and
fatalities which would serve as a guide for our road safety activities. There
is also a dramatic increase in crashes; for example in 2005 there were 104
compared to 134 crashes in 2004, increased by 30.
Once again, within a week, 1 to 6 December 2006, the awful tragedy visited
on the people of this province wherein 25 people lost their lives. This week
only provides a telling and poignant reminder of our vulnerability. Of the 25,
five are from Nkangala, 17 Gert Sibande and three from Ehlanzeni Region.
Comparatively these numbers though alarming are a clear indication that
together we can achieve our stated goals because few years ago, Nkangala has
always been topping the list but ever since we paid special attention we now
see good signs of achievement; perhaps we need to put more efforts in this
region.
Ladies and gentlemen, the loss of our children in particular, our best and
brightest future marks these deaths with a particular sense of acute loss.
Programme Director, today's event affords me a public opportunity to express
again my deep condolences to the families of those who died on our roads
including those who died since the start of the season and express the hope
that those suffering the trauma of injuries as a result of those collisions
will soon regain their strength.
The festive season audit highlights not only the dangers of our road use but
also speaks volume of our need to meet the challenges of these dangers. We have
learned many lessons in relation to road safety especially over the last two
years.
One of those lessons is that the best approach on road safety is a
co-ordinated one, involving all those who can contribute to safer road travel.
This must be based on a targeted programme of initiatives directed at the main
contributing factors to collisions. Such approaches are the bedrock of road
safety policy in the best performing countries throughout the world.
We have just adopted and launched our strategy which places a particular
emphasis on the area of drinking and driving. The survey of 2004 by the Medical
Research Council (MRC) indicated that an estimated number of 391 fatal crashes
happened as a direct result of drinking and driving; speeding was 4 183;
wearing of seatbelts was 50 percent; professional driving permits 3 876 and
unroadworthy was 3,38 percent.
These highlights show that the continued general increase in the level of
lawlessness with regard to these offences is unacceptably high.
As you should be aware that our road safety budget is limited but our needs
are unlimited, we have therefore successfully established a good partnership
with the private sector; companies such as Putco, Sasol and Engen to mention
just a few and they have since made remarkable contributions and we would like
to appreciate the good work.
We have recently made available high performance vehicles in order to patrol
and conduct random stops and checks and shall in the near future provide the
necessary instruments and systems that involve the provision of breath samples
to determine the concentration of alcohol in the breath.
More worryingly is that alcohol concentration or breath results have always
been more than thrice the exceeded limit. We hope the introduction of pounding
of vehicles and disqualification of offenders would go a long way in trying to
address our plight of reducing road accidents.
Our strategy reflects that motorists must expect tougher law enforcement on
our roads. There will be no compromise as a number of enforcement blitzes have
been planned with a strong focus on alcohol, speeding, overloading, vehicle and
driver fitness and critically pedestrians' safety.
We all share the responsibility to always obey traffic laws, especially
those related to the above offences. We need everyone's co-operation in order
to make this a safer festive season. The message is clear "Arrive Alive",
"cabulela ekhaya."
I sincerely hope that the efforts of road safety partners, ambassadors,
government and agencies will instil in all drivers the realisation that road
accidents devastate lives, devastate families and devastate communities.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Thank you!
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
9 December 2006
