24 April 2007
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe will host the main event on Global Road
Safety Week in Tshwane, in line with the United Nations General Assembly's
resolution to improve road safety globally.
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2007
Time: 10h00
Venue: Tshwane University of Technology (Soshanguve Campus)
The Minister will be joined by representatives of World Health Organisation
(WHO), the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), Pick 'n Pay (Stay Alert Stay
Alive), Ferodo (brake tests), Bridgestone (tyre safety), the Automobile
Association and international guests from Sweden and Japan.
Road crashes are the second leading cause of death globally among young
people aged five to 29 and the third leading cause of death for people aged 30
to 44 years. Each year, almost 400 000 young people under the age of 25 years
are killed in road traffic crashes, about 1 049 youngsters every day. Most of
these crashes occur in low to middle income countries, particularly among
pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and those using public transport.
Young road users are at risk for road traffic injuries for a number of
reasons:
* insufficient consideration of their specific needs when roads are being
planned
* physical and developmental characteristics that increase their risk, for
example, the small structure of young children
* risk taking behaviour and peer pressure particularly among adolescents
* other risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, not using helmets and not
wearing seatbelts.
In order to address the problems identified, the United Nations General
Assembly resolved to improve road safety globally (Resolution A/60/5) and
member states were invited to organise road safety activities during the week
of 23 to 29 April 2007. The theme for the week is "young road user" as young
people constitute a major group at risk of death, injury and disability on the
road. It is hoped the activities resulting from the week will benefit road
users of all ages.
The main objectives of this First United Nations Global Road Safety Week are
to:
* raise awareness about the societal impact of road traffic injuries,
highlighting risks of young road users
* promote action around key factors, which have a major impact on preventing
road traffic injuries: helmets, seatbelts, drunk driving, speeding and
infrastructure.
The slogan for the Week, "Road Safety is No Accident," highlights the fact
that road safety happens not by accident, but through deliberate efforts on the
part of many individuals.
For enquiries, contact:
Ntau Letebele
Cell: 082 923 9194
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Sam Monareng
Deputy Director: Media Relations
Tel: 012 309 3970
Fax: 012 309 3313
Cell: 083 326 1521
E-mail: Monarens@dot.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport
24 April 2007
Source: SAPA
