10 December 2007
Pretoria: Traffic volumes are expected to increase on South Africa's main
national roads as workers start their holidays. As a result traffic authorities
will put extra measures to heighten our enforcement activities and our
communication efforts.
In its concerted efforts to stop the carnage on our roads the Department of
Transport's Arrive Alive campaign makes a "Call to Action to motorists to
switch on their headlights". We know from research that the daytime running
lights concept has worked elsewhere in the world.
We have now established that South Africans recognise the safety effects of
daytime running lights and that 69% of motorists are willing to use daytime
running lights. Motorists know that daytime running lights have a positive
effect on specific types of accidents that involve vulnerable road users such
as pedestrians and cyclists.
The benefits of daytime running lights are:
* increased visibility
* reduction in offences, crashes, injuries and fatalities
* promotion of safe road user behaviour
* exposing motorists with faulty lights
* spreading the switch-on message.
The Call to Action will rely on voluntary use of headlights by motorists.
This is so because already 90% of traffic crashes are preceded by
non-compliance to traffic rules. Irresponsible and inconsiderate behaviour is
the core focus of this initiative. In no uncertain terms this must change to
responsible road user behaviour. The success of this initiative hinges on
motorists' support.
Enquiries:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Ntau Letebele
Cell: @ 082 923 9194
Ms Thandi Moya
Cell: 076 751 0905
Issued by: Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management
Co-corporation (RTMC)
10 December 2007
Source: SAPA
