A Unified Effort for Road Safety: A Plea for Change

In a poignant commemoration of lives lost to road accidents, South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, fervently initiated the 2023/24 Road Safety Festive Season Campaign. The event, organised in Tsakane, brought together a multitude of representatives from various domains such as transport, law enforcement, religious sectors, and media.

Minister Chikunga’s speech commenced with a profound expression of gratitude for the efforts put into orchestrating the event, as well as a sombre acknowledgement of the tragic circumstances that prompted its necessity. The aim of the campaign is to tackle the widespread problem of road fatalities.

In the midst of South Africa’s 16-day activism against gender-based violence, Chikunga seized the opportunity to rally for a joint attempt to eradicate violence against women and children, whether on the roads or otherwise. This dual message serves to highlight the interconnectedness of societal problems and the necessity for comprehensive solutions.

The Pervasive Challenge of Road Safety

The festive season, characterized by increased inter-provincial travel and a surge in tourists, poses a unique problem in the realm of road safety. Chikunga, drawing on both domestic and global historical contexts, underscored the recurring pattern of road accidents and fatalities, as well as the preventative measures that have been put in place to address these issues.

Chikunga reminded the audience of the United Nations’ resolution declaring 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, an initiative that sought to save 5 million lives and avert up to 50 million severe injuries through cutting road accidents in half. Following the culmination of the first decade, a second Decade of Action was declared for 2021–2030, with an objective to further curtail road traffic deaths and injuries by a minimum of 50 percent.

Chikunga underscored the specific challenges confronting South Africa, a dramatic swell in the number of vehicles since the advent of democracy has resulted in a surge of road traffic casualties. However, she also pointed to the country’s assertive approach to combat this issue. South Africa, she pointed out, was among the inaugural countries to partake in the Decade of Action for Road Safety in order to alter the prevailing circumstances.

To bring the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety to fruition, South Africa devised a National Action Plan based on the “Safe System Approach”. This methodology encompasses six pillars: Road Safety Management, Safer Road and Mobility, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, Post-Crash Response, and Youth and Mobility.

Progress and Future Road Safety Actions

As part of this strategy, South Africa has instigated various legislative amendments, explored sentencing alternatives for traffic offenses, devised the 2016-2030 National Road Safety Strategy, and established technical regulations and standards for road infrastructure and vehicles. In addition, the 365 Days Road Safety Programme was launched, stressing that road safety is a daily obligation and a mutual responsibility.

Although this holistic approach is yielding progress, Chikunga admitted that there is still substantial work to be undertaken. She stressed that battling road fatalities is not a solo governmental endeavor. It’s a collective obligation that necessitates the enthusiastic participation of every citizen.

For the 2023/24 festive season campaign, Chikunga revealed plans for deploying personnel and technologies nationwide, particularly in areas notorious for high-risk accidents. Heightened operations will be conducted on specific days and routes that have historically seen a high volume of crashes and fatalities.

However, the campaign’s focus extends beyond just reactive measures. Education and awareness are equally critical. Road safety professionals will visit malls, train stations, taxi ranks, and petrol stations to disseminate information about road safety.

Chikunga also highlighted the availability of long-distance rail passenger transport services during the festive season, offering commuters an alternative to using the roads. This initiative, undertaken by PRASA, provides an option for travelers while potentially alleviating traffic congestion on the roads.

In tandem with the road safety campaign, the event also marked World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims. This day provides an opportunity for road traffic victims and their families to remember their loved ones who died or were seriously injured on the roads and campaign for improved support.

Chikunga’s keynote speech served as both a celebration of the progress achieved and a somber reminder of the work that lies ahead. Her message was unequivocal: road safety is a mutual responsibility, and every individual must contribute to ensuring safety on the roads. As we approach the festive season, let us heed Minister Chikunga’s words, and remember, support, and act for a safer South Africa. Echoing the Minister’s eloquent words: “FIKA USAPHILA, let’s all ensure that we Arrive Alive by leaving no one behind”.