Programme Director
Limpopo Premier, Mr Cassel Mathale
Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport, Ms Pinky Kekana
Members of the Shareholders Committee of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
Heads of Departments
RTMC CEO, Mr Ranthoko Rakgoale
Participants in the competition
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
The death of 16 000 people annually through road crashes is cause for national reflection. The death of 3 400 people daily through road crashes in the world is a crisis. Such is the nature of this crisis that across the world we are now declaring war. We are galvanising all our forces around the world in the fight for safer roads and an end to death through road crashes.
Earlier this year, together with fellow Ministers of Transport from Africa, we met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and declared a Decade of Action against Road Accidents and for Road Safety on our roads. In Moscow in November this year, we will join the world in the First Global Conference of Ministers on Road Safety.
We are part of this movement because unless we do something about road safety today we estimate that in 2020 roads will kill more people than those who die from HIV and malaria put together. Behind the statistics each time a road crash takes place we are deprived of people at the peak of their lives. Behind the statistics, families are deprived of breadwinners. Behind the statistics, children are deprived of fathers, mothers deprived of their children.
In a road crash, it is the close family which loses the most. Yet the country, the region and continent also lose for ever the productive potential of accident victims over the average life time of a human being. What saddens us is that the majority of these crashes could have been avoided.
Causes of accidents
We find that different factors contribute to road traffic crashes.
These are:
* The level of driver training
* The general attitude of drivers
* Driver behaviour
* Lack of driver discipline and compliance.
The 2008 road traffic offence survey conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation found that drinking and driving and exceeding the speed limit were among the chief causes of accidents. We estimate that 95% of all road crashes are preceded by a road traffic offence. It is clear therefore that to reduce accidents we must change behaviour and inculcate compliance.
Partnership with all modes: Delivering 2010
In addition transport must be ready because 2010 is Soccer World Cup year. There will be no Soccer World Cup in 2010 unless we as the Transport Family deliver. While the fan will spend 90 minutes in the stadium, they will spend the rest of their day on our transport systems. We must make this a lasting experience.
A game without fans in the stadium does not even draw television audiences. A game without fans in the stadium does not draw sponsorships. A game without a fan in the stadium is not a FIFA World Cup game. We have no option but to deliver.
Our taxi and bus drivers must help us deliver a successful world cup. It is this partnership which will deliver the fans safely from their hotels to the stadiums and back. It is this partnership which will deliver the thousands to the World Cup.
Our transport plan for the FIFA World Cup in 2010 includes taxis, buses, rail, maritime and air. It is important that we tighten our safety plans in all these modes of transport. Our plans also include tougher measures during the 2010 World Cup. We do not want to have an increase in road crashes owing to the influx of people onto our road system. During the world cup in 2010 there will be no moratorium for traffic offenders of all. We expect the private vehicle user and the truck driver to be active partners in this national campaign.
The bus driver and the pedestrian must become active members of this campaign. All these parties working together will help South Africa deliver an incident, and accident-free soccer World Cup in 2010.
Addressing road deaths
Beyond 2010 we must change the culture of non-compliance. We are committed to the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) throughout the country next year. AARTO introduces an efficient road traffic management environment in the country. It enhances a culture of compliance through the points demerit system.
The demerit system is a simple "self-regulatory" system - you are given a chance to break the law until you lose your licence. Good behaviour is rewarded. However, consistent bad behaviour will be punished. It is up to the driver to chose.
Driver of the year
Our road safety strategy has identified the following key problems:
1. Improperly licensed drivers
2. Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
3. Unroadworthy vehicles
4. Poor fleet maintenance and systematic overloading.
The annual Driver of the Year competition is one way in which as government and fleet owners we attempt to change the culture of Driving on our roads for ever. In the long term we want to prevent and decrease crashes on our roads.
The competition assesses a set of skills and a level of knowledge of drivers. In this way we want to standardise competency across heavy duty drivers and ensure that drivers are in a good state of health to drive this type of vehicle. Out of this one category of drivers we want to be certain of the highest standards of safety. Through the heavy duty drivers we want to corner just one part of the road user. It is an important start.
Through the Driver of the Year Competition we must continue focusing on the basics such as driver competence, testing and correct licensing. Provinces cannot be allowed to operate sub-standard driver licence-testing centres. Through the introduction of user-friendly computerized learner licences we will certainly minimise fraud and corruption.
We will also formalise and regulate the driving school industry countrywide. This will mean strict accreditation and registration criteria for owners, clearly defined customer service standards and higher levels of technical knowledge and driving skill for driving instructors. If you are a driver trainer, at least we must be certain that you know what you are doing!
The Driver of the Year competition is an evaluation and testing tool to identify strengths and weaknesses of participating drivers in order for the employers to identify their training needs. The theory and practical track tests administered assists in determining the levels of driving ability and knowledge of the participants. Tonight we salute these men and women of South Africa's heavy motor vehicle industry.
We salute the critical role this industry plays in moving goods and services throughout the economy. We salute you for the long trips you take across the region transporting goods and people and helping the continent's economy grow. We salute your contribution to the country and regions growth and development.
Our finalists this evening underwent rigorous elimination to get to the national finals. You are here because you are provincial winners. You are here because you are winners already. Again congratulations to you all. We wish you all the best.
Thank you.
Winners of the 2009 National Driver of the Year Competition:
1. Overall Winner – H J Bexter from Eastern Cape
2. Best Provincial Team - Northern Cape
3. Articulated Truck Category – C Erasmus from Western Cape
4. Rigid Truck with Four Wheel Trailer Category - A.Sahabodien from
Western Cape
5. Rigid Truck Category – M Tsomane from Northern Cape
6. Novice Category – J Hanse from Eastern Cape
7. Bus Category – A P Vumazonke from North West
8. Bus (Ladies) Category – P L Mavimbela from Gauteng
9. Delivery Vehicle Category – H J Bexter from Eastern Cape.
Each winner in each category received R15 000 cash, A trophy and certificate. The second and third winners in each category also received R10 000 and R5 000 respectively as well as a certificate and trophy.
Enquiries:
Thandi Moya
Cell: 071 680 3445
Issued by: Department of Transport
23 October 2009
Source: SAPA
