Speech by the Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters, MP, at the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) level crossing safety awareness campaign at Stellenbosch
The MEC for Community Safety,
The MEC for Transport and Public Works,
Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch,
The Councillors,
The officials from Government,
The CEO of The Rail Safety Regulator,
The Chairperson of the Rail Safety Regulator,
Members of the board,
The Community at large,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we are gathered here celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy and celebrating Transport Month as we move South Africa forward.
During this year, 2014, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Transport Month Campaign.
The ANC government recognised the importance of a high quality, transport system for the country and pulled no punches in their determination to demonstrate delivery through this launch of the Transport Month.
We are here today as the National government, together with the Provincial government, the municipality, and the political parties in the Stellenbosch area to raise awareness on the level crossing safety here in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch.
As government, we are concerned about the continuous incidents that occur at this crossing which are mainly attributable to motorists’ behaviour.
We have noted the incidents at level crossings are at a high level and can lead to fatalities. The main reason for these incidents is that motorists and pedestrians fail to adhere to safety precautions.
We have noted that during the off-peak period, the frequency of trains is low, leading people to disregard and neglect rail rules.
The Provincial Department of Transport is the custodian of the road markings at the crossing, while Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is responsible for the rail traffic.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This level-crossing has a boom which autommatically drops when a train approaches, however incidents still continue to take place due to reckless and ngeligent behaviour of motorists who go around the boom or try to beat the boom and the train.
What is the root cause of this problem?
Kayamandi community in Stellenbosch uses the DuToit station which is about 700m – 1km away from the township, and our people then walk from the station to home which is nearby for them.
The community has now established an illegal level crossing on the line (this an encroachment on the PRASA line).
We have also noted that the Kayamandi shopping complex is directly across the line and opposite to it, there is a taxi rank.
This has therefore increased the number of pedestrians crossing on the line, from the station, taxis and the shopping complex.
Socio-Economic facts
There is a high level of unemployment rate in both Cloetesville and Kayamandi area.
We have also noted that there is a significant amount of farm workers who work in the wine farms who resides in this area.
Most of the children from Kayamandi attend school in Cloetesville and they travel alone to school or with their peers and make use of this illegal crossing line.
We are talking about children from the age of 7 years. This is a second encroachment on the same line that runs through from the Du Toit Station.
The second illegal crossing is even more dangerous because there is a river close by which always has an overflow and increases the risk of crossing the line.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Government has taken a decision to prioritise infrastructure development as this is the foundation for socio-economic development.
Infrastructure development is the catalyst for job creation, economic development and ultimately improving the quality of life of our people.
The key mandate of the Department of Transport is to ensure that the transport infrastructures are safe, affordable and reliable at all times.
As such, the Railway Safety Regulator has a fundamental role to play in the realisation of the mandate of government.
RSR has a responsibility to ensure that the millions of passengers that commute by trains reach their destination safely, through an effective regulatory framework.
National government is committed in working with all provinces, municipalities, PRASA and RSR to ensure that there is safety and compliance at all level crossings across the country.
We will make sure that there are fewer vehicles and people who are crossing the railway tracks because we do not need unnecessary incidents.
The fines that are issued for reckless and negligent driving are supposed to curb the incidents on railway tracks.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Statistics show that since 2008, 21 persons have been struck by trains in the vicinity of Du Toit station.
The exact numbers who were struck at the informal crossing is unknown but may constitute a large percentage of the 21 cases.
The Kayamandi pedestrian crossing occurrences are recorded under Du Toit incidents as persons struck by train resulting in 12 individuals fatally injured and 5 injured.
It is evident from the data that the area is a problem and the community need to be educated on Railway Safety in order to inculcate a culture of safety.
We need to familiarise ourselves with the Level Crossing Facts and Safety Tips which are as follows:
- Safety at level crossings is predominantly governed by the principles contained in the South African Road Signs Manual - road signage and lights at level crossings are the primary indicators. Barriers/booms are affixed as an additional precaution;
- Train drivers are obligated to sound sirens on approach to level crossings;
- Trains operate with their head-lights on as an additional safety measure;
- Trains legally have right of way at road/rail level crossing intersections;
- Trains operate on fixed infrastructure and cannot take evasive action during emergencies;
- A full train will take up to 500 meters to stop under emergency conditions;
- Where level crossings are protected by lights and barriers, the lights will start flashing 30 seconds before an approaching train enters the level crossing intersection; and
- Barriers drop 10 seconds before the train enters the intersection and remain closed until the last carriage safely clears the intersection. Lights continue to flash until the barrier lifts.
In our country, the right to and protection of life of our people is enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa.
The need for safe and reliable transport infrastructure and services is fully captured in ANC transport policies.
These policies found expression in the 1996 White Paper on National Transport.
The 2012 National Development Plan (Vision 2030) – the blueprint for the South Africa we want also make provision for an efficient, reliable, safe and affordable public transport and infrastructure.
Guided at a policy level by the National Land Transport Act, the National Road Traffic Act of 1996, the Millennium Development Goals and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, we have developed a multifaceted approach to regulate the use of and de-congest our roads, and ultimately reduce the fatalities on our roads.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A country’s road network should be efficient in order to maximise economic and social benefits.
Good roads play a significant role in achieving national development and contributing to the overall performance and social functioning of the community.
We applaud RSR for playing a major advisory role in:
- PRASA’s modernisation programme;
- Transnet Freight Rail Market Demand Strategy rail projects; and
- The development and commissioning of the country’s first level crossings to be fitted with road traffic lights.
We acclaim the Railway Safety Regulator for its achievements.
I thank you.
