M Mpofu on behalf of J Radebe: Project DAD

11 October 2006

Mrs Nicholle van der Merwe, Pick 'n Pay Head Office
Heads of departments and officials
Representatives from various sponsors
Mr Basil Mann, South African International Racing Driver
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Let me start by saying, "it is quite evident that the risks of everyday
traffic receive relatively little public attention. Motorists also appear to
have little awareness of the dangers involved. They apparently have a great
deal of faith in their own knowledge and experience. They even carry out a
number of actions without thinking properly, out of habit or impulse. While on
the road, a driver may therefore be in deep conversation with a passenger or
all kinds of other distracting things may be done that have nothing to do with
driving. As a result of this driving on 'automatic pilot', it is even possible
that a driver may travel a distance of 15 to 20 minutes without thinking and
suddenly come to the realisation that, good heavens, I am here already!"

The tests done on drivers here today should serve as a lesson to many of us
that as human beings we have limitations.

I do not have to remind you, ladies and gentlemen that the area of road
safety gives the most acute cause for concern. Many of us have been touched by
the grim toll of death and injury. I am standing here to inform you that we are
doing all we can to invest more resources in road safety and tackle the complex
issues that are involved. I am talking about a commitment to improve the safety
situation. I do not promise miracles, but a process to ensure that we build
solid and sustainable partnerships.

I am informed that since the inception of "Project DAD", which is a
programme to evaluate the effects of a driver who is under the influence of an
intoxicating substance, the Department of Transport has always been involved in
one way or another together with the other partners, Pick 'n Pay and the
Automobile Association of South Africa. Initially Project DAD was meant to be a
once-off "project" but it developed into a huge project attracting huge
publicity, and is now held annually.

Over the years a body of knowledge has been built up as a result of the
research conducted at "Project DAD". More tests have been included as part of
today's event. These tests have their primary objective, which is road
safety.

These tests include:

* driving accuracy
* fatigue and driving
* safe towing
* cellphone and driving
* seatbelt safety
* medication and driving.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is a very important day for us because we are
using the event to handover 10 seatbelt convincers to the nine provinces and
the QuadPara Association of South Africa. Over the years the seatbelt convincer
has always been a feature of the activities that take place during "Project
DAD". It was during one of these activities that a decision was taken that each
province should have a seatbelt convincer together with the QuadPara
Association of South Africa.

With special reference to the QuadPara Association, this Association plays a
very important role in the area of road safety by deploying some of their
members in selected garages during holiday periods to encourage people to drive
safely to their various destinations. This is one association which does not
want new members. Their message is very simple: "Buckle up; we do not want new
members". I must personally thank Mr Ari Seirlis, National Director, for the
wonderful work his organisation is doing. Soldier on, sir, you have our
undivided support.

The Department of Transport, Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC),
other organisations like the Automobile Association of South Africa and the
Pick 'n Pay, 'Stay Alert, Stay Alive' have analysed the various fatal crashes
on South African roads and found that the main causes of the crashes as:

* drinking and driving
* fatigue
* reckless driving
* un-roadworthy vehicles.

Drinking and driving is a worldwide problem. The extent of the problem in
the South African situation is totally unacceptable. Information from the
Medical Research Council (MRC) shows that 59% of drivers and 61% of pedestrians
killed in road crashes were under the influence of alcohol. Current
legislation, the National Road Traffic Act, 93 of 1996, section 65[2], provides
for a 0,05 Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) level, whilst for professional
drivers the level is 0,02.

In addition, breath samples to obtain a conviction are now permitted.
Moreover, a provision has been added making it an offence to refuse to supply a
specimen of blood or a specimen of breath. It must also be noted that in terms
of the legislation, it is an offence to drive at the 0,05 B.A.C level (or 0,02
as the case may be), as the wording specifically provides that a driver must be
below the legal limit.

Chapter 11 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 deals with two offences,
which will result in the arrest of the driver. These are:

* reckless driving
* driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a drug having a
narcotic effect.

A driver caught driving under the influence of alcohol will be arrested and
taken to court. He or she could face a maximum of six years imprisonment and /
or a fine of R120 000. In addition, the driving licence will be suspended.

Let me also point out that by no means do we say that all desired and
responsible traffic behaviour can be enforced with rules and regulations. Not
even if we could keep on increasing traffic police supervision. For traffic
safety to be a success, the support of the general public and all different
sectors of society is indispensable. Social support is important in order to
ensure that the different sectors in society and government join forces to
combat low levels of safety. Insurance companies can apply deductions to
payments when drivers have drunk too much alcohol or have not been wearing a
seatbelt. Manufacturers of alcoholic drinks should provide more support for
public campaigns against driving under the influence of alcohol. Ultimately
road users remain responsible for their behaviour in traffic.

On a different note, South Africans should be educated that chances of
sustaining a serious injury or being killed in the event of a collision are
considerably reduced when wearing a seatbelt. That is exactly the reason why we
have invested in these ten seatbelt convincers so that they could be used as
educational tools. The seatbelt convincer simulates a seatbelt during a
collision.

During an unobserved survey it was found that 67% of drivers were not
wearing seatbelts. During the roadblock survey, 33% of front seat passengers
and 93% back seat passengers were not wearing seatbelts. The public must be
educated about the advantages of wearing seatbelts. Studies show that
non-wearing of seatbelts increases the risk of death or serious injury by
between 44% and 56% in case of a collision.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you that October is Transport Month. We
are encouraging motorists who travel between Tshwane and Johannesburg to share
rides or use public transport. Our plan is to reduce traffic congestion. How
many of you have missed important appointments or meetings? Often the excuse is
in "I am stuck in traffic". We are committed to easing congestion on the Ben
Schoeman Highway.

Congestions on our roads network as a result of accidents results in many
delays. With the introduction of the ITS system we will manage incidents better
and more timeously. As we move towards 2010 we will increase investments in
public transport to ensure that our people have a proper alternative.

Already a lot has been done in the country to improve road safety. Lack of
safety on the roads is still a national epidemic. We should find ways to make
road safety topical at major events or even at dinner tables. Road safety
should be as DNA is in our bodies.

We have now developed a coherent road safety strategy which is going to be
discussed at the Transport Indaba in Soweto on Saturday and Sunday, 21 to 22
October. We are very determined as highlighted in the strategy, to ensure a
fundamental change of paradigm. The road safety strategy needs to meet some
important challenges. The direction to be taken will be fine tuned on the basis
of public consultation and in-depth assessments before deciding and
concretising on specific measures. Measures will be adjusted over time to take
into account the changing context and experience gained. Some of the key issues
addressed in the strategy are to ensure:

* 50% reduction in fatalities by 2014 (Millennium Development Goals)
* safer roads by 2010 Federation International Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup with a legacy thereafter
* contribution to Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa
(AsgiSA) growth targets saving of the R43 billion spent annually on road
trauma
* 10% reduction in fatalities, serious and slight injuries annually.

The Transport Lekgotla also gave direction on the road Safety Strategy,
which consists of a number of comprehensive, but drastic steps to improve the
levels of road safety and reducing the cost of road carnage to the economy.
There will be an intensified enforcement on public transport, pedestrians and
cyclists. An investigation will soon be finalised to declare Traffic
Enforcement Service an essential service to enable officers to work 24 hours a
day including evenings and weekends. As road traffic information show that this
is when most crashes occur, and extra traffic enforcement personnel will be
employed, and deployed accordingly to improve visibility of officers.

A system of traffic infringement management which includes a points merit
and demerit system, a system of driver retraining and testing after serious
crashes or repeat violations will be introduced as a mechanism to deal with
lawlessness

The significance of this partnership between The Department of Transport on
the one hand, and the Pick 'n Pay 'Stay Alert, Stay Alive' campaign on the
other hand, is enormous. It is a vital element in making the roads of South
Africa safer for all. 'Stay Alert, Stay Alive,' have also other partners in the
private sector who together support and strengthen the 'arrive alive' road
safety initiative to make an enormous contribution to road safety. These
include: BP, ER24, Renault, OUTsurance and Samsung. Road safety is a shared
responsibility.

In conclusion, I would like to remind everyone of us that road safety is the
responsibility of everybody. Public private partnerships like this one will go
a long way in raising the level of awareness and educating all road users. The
economy is losing billions of rands as a result of road accidents. These are
resources which could be invested elsewhere. Let us all join hands and make
South Africa's roads safer for all our road users. We should by no means
underestimate the enormity of the problems confronting us. As government we are
determined to turn the corner and effectively tackle the main causes of poor
road safety, an area where, despite the measures already taken, much progress
remains to be made.

As we head towards the festive season it is important that we start to
collectively shape the minds of all road users about safe driving. And that the
consequence of irresponsible road use is death or injury. Many road accidents
can be avoided if we adhere to traffic rules. Let us all arrive alive!

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Transport
11 October 2006