international commemoration day for victims of motor vehicle accidents, by MEC
Jerry Thibedi at Mmabatho Stadium, Mafikeng
19 November 2006
It is indeed a great honour, for us in the "Platinum Province" to pay host
to so many our colleagues, friends and counterparts from across the country to
join us on this important commemoration day. As we are gathered here in our
capital Mafikeng, united in purpose and prayers, nations across the globe are
on this very same day, also observing this day: "The World Remembrance Day for
road traffic victims."
The World Remembrance Day was started by Road Peace in 1993 and since then,
it has been observed and promoted worldwide by several non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) including the European Federation of Roads Traffic Victims
(FEVR) and its associated organisations. On 27 October 2005, the United Nations
(UN) endorsed it as a global day, to be observed every third Sunday in November
each year.
We have responded to that call, as a country to commemorate this day through
a programme that also reflects a strong religious and cultural character. This
we do, as we also pay tribute to those who come to the relief and rescue of
victims or those injured in motor vehicle accidents on our roads.
They include:
* fire services personnel
* emergency rescue services
* medical Practitioners
* traffic and police
* general public (in some instances).
As we are gathered here, in remembrance of lives prematurely lost as a
result of the carnage on our roads, you can play a role and make a difference
in promoting and preaching road safety at all times. Let the messages of Arrive
Alive Campaign become the daily bread for all road users. Do not shelve this
noble campaign for 10 months and only remember that there is Arrive Alive
Campaign only during the Easter Weekend and Festive Season.
Road fatalities and motor vehicle accidents happen everyday on our roads,
and not just during certain periods of the year. Like the rest of the global
community, Programme Director, we in the North West province fully support the
purpose and objectives of World Remembrance Day, to also highlight the tragic
loss of precious lives on our roads. In spite of our efforts to promote road
safety coupled with effective and visible policing on our roads, we have had
our own share of horrific accidents in this province.
Honourable Minister Radebe,
I was left numbed, two month ago, when I learnt that 461 people died in 367
fatal crashes on our roads here in North West. This was in less than nine
months, between December 2005 and August 2006. Included in those fatalities,
were 13 teachers of Diphetogo Primary School in Montshioa, who were killed
instantly at pre-dawn, when the minibus they were travelling in collided
head-on with a truck in Lichtenburg on 25 June 2006.
While still reeling with shock at the untimely death of so many of our
educators, another horror crash in the Lichtenburg-Koster road claimed seven
lives, including Chief Executive Officer of Agri- North West, Mr Willie Auret
and his wife Elna, on 27 August 2006. Four other high school teachers of
Oukasie location near Brits also died instantly when the car they were
travelling in collided with a school bus at the intersection outside Letlhabile
on 19 September 2006.
I have picked on these three accidents, only as examples, to illustrate the
pain, and trauma, these road accidents inflict on our society. There are many
more other fatalities which did not necessarily make newspaper headlines. I am
of the view that motor vehicle accidents can be prevented or avoided because
most of them are caused by people. Vehicles are not self driven. They are
driven and controlled by human beings.
In conclusion, Programme Director:
* drive fatigue
* poor visibility of pedestrians especially at night
* non usage of seat-belts
* over speeding and unroadworthy vehicles are attributed as the major causes of
fatal crashes I have highlighted above.
According to the National Fatal Accident Statistics:
* Human factors, as in pedestrians and drivers constituted 88,24% in 2003
and 88,53% in 2005.
* The vehicle factor constituted the sum total of 5,18 % in 2003 and 4,82 % in
2005.
* The road and environmental factors constituted 6,58 % in 2003 and 6,65 % in
2005.
It is therefore very clear from these statistics, that here in North West
province:
Human factors represent the highest percentages of the contributory factors
of fatal accidents on our roads. As we reflect and commemorate all victims of
motor vehicle accidents on our roads, the challenge for us as the department in
this province is to strengthen as a matter of urgency, our road safety
campaigns; so that we create road safety conscious communities. To all the
people gathered here today, let us from today become ambassadors of road
safety. Let us go all out and encourage others to join the campaign that
promotes responsible behaviour on our roads. Remember also, that road safety is
everyone's responsibility. It is your responsibility too.
Ke a leboga.
Enquiries:
Matshube Mfoloe
Director: Communication
Cell: 082 305 4594
Issued by: Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety, North West
Provincial Government
19 November 2006
Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za)
