Programme director
Head of the Department Mr Iqbal Motala
Executive and senior managers from the department
Representatives of our sponsors and partners, Man Truck and Bus, Atamelang
Bus Transport, Supreme Auto
Drivers from every corner of our province
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
On Wednesday the world witnessed and celebrated a historic and ground breaking rescue mission of 33 miners in Chile who were trapped underground for more than two months.
The resilience of the miners, the unwavering commitment, resilience and perseverance of all involved in the rescue effort deserves praise from everyone around the world particularly during October Transport Month. The Phoenix capsule highlighted the importance of safe transport from the belly of the earth.
This rescue effort is commendable and should set a new standard of extra-ordinary measures that need to be taken to save the lives of those in distress throughout the world. Murray and Roberts South African company made us all proud by leading the rescue effort that has saved the lives of the miners.
Programme director, when a teenager is on the verge of receiving their driver's license, their parents dampen their joy and excitement by telling them that they still must be careful and cautious in their driving. This is not only applicable for teens, but for all road users and this morning more relevant for all drivers participating in the provincial driver skills enhancement programme championship.
Even under the best of conditions, driving on public roads can involve many dangers and risks. Sometimes, a driver will take their eyes off the road quickly, while they adjust the music, but even fast activities like this can be risky.
Usually, drivers will perform even bigger and riskier actions than this, such as trying to eat a meal in the driver's seat, talking on their cell phone, or even sending a text message. Sometimes, it can be simply chatting with the person sitting next to you that can distract you from a critical decision that may prevent a nasty accident.
Sometimes the risk is bigger when a driver is lost or not sure where they should go and pulls over suddenly, without warning to other vehicles around them. All of the other drivers have to suddenly adjust for that person's uncertainty and the danger of collision can be great when a heavy vehicle is involved.
When the conditions are not ideal and the vehicle a person is driving is not safe, the risks to all of the drivers are even greater. Not only is the driver inside the car in a bad place, but they are endangering everyone else on the road around them.
Sometimes, the driver of the vehicle will notice that their car is acting funny, but will not be able to move to the side to address the problem. If they end up stopping suddenly in the middle of the road, they can damage themselves and the car behind them, who might not be able to stop on time. This can affect the next few cars and cause a major accident.
Research has shown that globally, approximately 1.3 million people die and between 20 and 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries on the world’s roads each year. In South Africa, the majority of reported crashes involve vulnerable road users-pedestrians, cyclists and those using motorised two and three wheelers. In 2008 crashes cost the South African economy approximately R56 billion which the industry also bears.
The commitment of government to reduce road carnages by 50 percent in 2014 still stands as a yardstick of success to this very day. Through various programmes and other road safety initiatives, we seek to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Programme director, We will not be in the right stead to reduce road fatalities and crashes until we have skilled and re-skilled drivers on our roads hence our effort to introduce a new driving culture on our roads. As we open the driver skills enhancement programme championship today we are revitalising and deepening advanced driving skills for professional drivers who in turn, would play a meaningful role in road safety by transferring the skills learnt in this driving competition to their fellow drivers, families, relatives and friends.
Through the driver skills enhancement initiative, we aim at educating, developing and motivating heavy motor vehicle drivers to be the best in what they do and understand the heavy responsibility entrusted upon them with regard to road safety and their contribution to the economy of our province and the country at large. We also seek to enhance driving skills of the drivers and to promote safe road usage at all times.
The long term aim of this programme is to promote driver education in the province, improve standards of driving and ultimately reduce the resultant road accidents, we therefore belief that driving is a skill to be learnt and perfected on a daily basis. For us to be on top of road carnages which continue to cripple our economy by claiming the life of innocent of souls we need advanced driving skills.
Programme director, It is of substantial importance to note that this competition forms part of our plans to empower heavy duty drivers to undertake their daily chores with passion and skill. We have noted that a large number of heavy motor vehicle accidents occurring on our public roads warrant a continuous improvement of driver education and fitness initiatives. It is for this reason that my department in partnership with the transport sector not only invest money in road safety programmes but also invests knowledge in people so that they can emerge with better skills and driver professionalism.
This programme therefore seeks to enhance and improve driving skills of heavy motor vehicles drivers, prevent as well as reduce crashes involving motor vehicles. This programme which has trained over 652 professional drivers over the past three years has contributed significantly in the reduction of road accidents involving heavy vehicles and commercial vehicles.
It has also yielded positive results and spin-offs for many companies, as money spent on proper training of drivers which included participation in this event, has proven to be a good investment, which resulted in less damage to vehicles and fewer accidents. It is also gratifying to notice a number of women and some youth in this competition as this demonstrates the progress we have registered as a country in dealing with social stereotypes which sought to exclude women from participating in economic activity.
We appreciate the enormous contribution made by Man Truck and Bus, RAC Driving Solutions, Atamelang Bus Transport and Supreme Auto towards a successful rollout of the programme.
The public transport sector and private companies that have allowed their drivers to participate in the programme share our vision of safer roads and communities for a better life for all. We count on their continued support to achieve the target of reducing road fatalities by 50 percent in 2014.
Without wasting much of your time, let me seize this opportunity to congratulate all the participants who have made it through the district eliminations to reach this level. I wish you all the best in this competition, enjoy yourselves and continue to be ambassadors for road safety.
Ke a leboga.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
