J Radebe: QuadPara Association of South Africa Annual Art
Exhibition

7 September 2006

QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) National Director, Ari
Seirlis,
Jakkie Pieters, Chairperson of QuadPara Association of SA,
Arthur Piercy, Chairperson of Quadra Association of Gauteng North,
Joseph's Incorporated Attorneys,
Government officials,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Members of the media,

I am pleased to address this very important occasion of the QuadPara
Association of South Africa that is aimed at reducing traffic accidents and
limit the number of causalities on our roads. Let me acknowledge the good work
that is being done by the Quadra Association of South Africa, the Road Accident
Fund and the Department of Transport in promoting road safety to reduce the
number of spinal cord injuries from road accidents on South African roads. The
African Ministers of Transport supported several resolutions at Addis Ababa
during April 2006, as part of the international Millennium Development Goals.
Two of these are particularly pertinent to this meeting of Quadriplegic
Association of South Africa (QASA) today - those are to halve poverty in Africa
by 2014 and to cut by half, the number of road fatalities and reduce serious
and disabling injuries by the same date.

The problem of road accidents is a matter that concerns all of us. The worst
part of this is that if we do not contribute in unity as South Africans this
problem will affect progress in other sectors and cause detriments in the
growth of the economy and the country as a whole. With regard to issues of
transport, the main cause of spinal cord injury in South Africa is vehicle
accidents, which is why it is so vital that QASA, the Department of Transport
and the Road Accident Fund should work together to address this issue.

We know that the onus for reducing the carnage on our roads must rest with
road users themselves. This is a real challenge, and communities and
individuals must take responsibility of their behaviour and that of their
families and friends to bring down the number of deaths on the road. This event
by QASA, Department of Transport and the Road Accident Fund should be taken
seriously in conveying road safety messages.

Unemployment in South Africa is a huge challenge to our new democracy. It
has implications in respect of peoples' dignity, sense of self-worth and their
standard of living, as well as a tremendous effect on crime and violence. While
speaking about unemployment, I must mention that those with disabilities find
it even more difficult to find work than those who are not challenged. Every
year QASA provides temporary employment for 42 people in the 'buckle-up, we do
not want new members' campaign over the festive season. This is an important
contribution to the visibility of 'Arrive Alive', especially as we emphasise
the consequences of poor behaviour in all our public relations and advertising
campaigns. The consequence of permanent disability is one that cannot be missed
by drivers who are approached by people in wheel chairs during the time of the
year when so many people are on our roads, driving long distances.

Statistics reveal that in vast instances, road accidents and the fatalities
of drivers, passengers and pedestrians or non-motorised users are the result of
sheer recklessness, drivers taking chances or misjudging speed, visibility, or
practising their own skills, not following traffic rules, the use of alcohol
and so on. The aims and objectives of QASA and the Department of Transport
through road safety promotions are to have campaign ad promotions against road
accidents, and reduce the number of quadriplegics and paraplegics resulting
from road accidents.

I want to urge all provinces, metros and local authorities to play active
roles in the 'Arrive Alive' campaigns and today we must acknowledge our
gratitude to the host of traffic officials, ambulance and emergency services
personnel, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and countless volunteers who
give much of their time and skills generously against reckless road users. In
2006 alone, more than 12 000 lives were lost on our roads and the estimated
cost to the economy is R43 billion per annum. Our economy is on an exciting
growth path and it requires further investment, and to support and promote
growth we cannot afford to loose that kind of money to road accidents.

The challenge that we continue to face is that many motorists disregard the
law by driving un-roadworthy vehicles, driving under the influence of alcohol,
unsafe overtaking, skipping road traffic lights and ignoring stop signs and
over speeding. The opening of the QASA exhibition is part of the 'Arrive Alive'
campaign and is about educating all citizens to deal with these challenges and
reduce the carnage on our roads. As government we are intervening through
various initiatives to reduce road accidents. For example we have four
fundamentals that will dictate the requirements of a South African Road Safety
Strategy.

These are:

* the contribution that traffic management can make to the achievement of
the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiated for South Africa (AsgiSA)
goals
* the need for a reduction in unnatural causes of death
* the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for the Transport Sector
* the provision of an enabling environment for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
event.

The World Bank as a priority health issue recognises the number of deaths
and injuries that take place in developing countries due to traffic crashes.
South Africa is unfortunately part of this international trend, with several
factors leading to the high rates.

These are:

* poor driver behaviour and attitude - 95% of crashes follow a traffic
violation
* the existence of a 'culture of impunity' in respect to payment of traffic
fines, resulting in little behaviour change for offenders
* the average age of most vehicles being around 10 years, and the taxi fleet
being over 13 years
* the wide spread of fraud and corruption in all sectors of the industry
* first class, high-speed roads, travelling through informal settlements and
rural areas where pedestrian activities are high and safety activities
inadequate.

Let me add that the seriousness of reckless road behaviour is calling for
tougher actions against traffic offenders as the rate of car purchase is facing
an upward trend and our economy showing a positive trajectory. It is also clear
from our figures that a large percentage of road carnage is caused by the
misuse of alcohol. This is true for drivers, pedestrians and passengers who
become pedestrians as soon as they leave vehicles. Our statistics reflect that
7 000 people involved in crashes are left permanently disabled every year. At
least 650 of these have spinal cord injuries, which leaves them paralysed to
some extent. The impact on their lives is devastating. Many people are left
with other permanent disabilities, such as mental retardation or loss of a
limb.

This event must set a precedent that quadriplegics and paraplegics' numbers
on the accident row are reduced drastically by encouraging strict observation
and practice of safe road behaviour by urging motorists to pay attention to the
following:

* adhere to prescribed speed limits
* wear seat belts as this saves more lives
* not to drink and drive
* rest as fatigue is a silent killer
* buckling up, not to drink and drive
* avoiding over speeding and skipping red lights.

I want to emphasise that we have in place a new Road Safety 2006 Strategy. I
have clearly stated that the time for debate, argument and discussion is now
over. I want to see the strategy implemented, and the executive of the
Department of Transport will ensure that resources, in terms of personnel and
funding, are made available for implementation. Those who are responsible for
implementing the project are transport as the lead agency; the newly
established Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the provinces and local
authorities, including metros; the non government organisations (NGOs),
community based organisation (CBO), communities, business and industry, role
players in the industry and road users. The main emphasis of the strategy is on
enforcement. If people refuse to comply with the rules of the road, they must
be caught and punished, 1 000 roadblocks will take place in the country each
and every day.

This will increase visibility and identify illegal vehicles and drivers and
also identify those who drive un-roadworthy vehicles, drive for longer hours
than is prudent, those who do not wear seat belts and especially the legality
of public transport permits and vehicles. We are installing video equipment
into the national fleet of 120 vehicles so that we can easily identify and
prosecute those who fail to abide by the rules of overtaking, the cause of 17
percent of deaths and disabilities.

Public transport will be targeted through the roadblocks and general
enforcement will be tight. It is the law to wear a seat belt if there is one on
the seat where you are sitting. We have to educate people to do this, and to
enforce the law. Wearing a seat belt is the simplest way to prevent serious
injury or death; Buckling up your passengers is imperative to keep them
safe.

The RTMC law enforcement strategies will include:

* more stringent punishments for those who contravene the law
* the introduction of periodic vehicle testing
* transfer of more road traffic functions to the RTMC
* improved traffic enforcement on many levels.

Enforcement authorities will carry out 1 000 traffic checking/mini-road
block exercises daily to inspect and identify:

* illegal vehicles and drivers
* un-roadworthy vehicles
* non compliance to seatbelt laws
* drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Department of Transport will also partner with other government
departments and other stakeholders on education programmes in schools and
communities, concentrating on visibility and behaviour, including alcohol
abuse. The programmes will also include reduction of speed limits in areas of
high pedestrian activity and improved enforcement of road rules on
freeways.

Finally let me say that the envisaged target of a 50 percent reduction in
fatalities by 2014, the contribution that this will make to the AsgiSA goals,
and the provision of a safe environment for the 2010 World Cup can be achieved
through a comprehensive strategy, involving all role players and commitment to
this target.

Let us all buckle up and avoid the rise in numbers of road fatalities.

I thank you

Issued by: Ministry of Transport
7 September 2006
Source: SAPA