Department of Transport

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Department of Transport
ROAD SAFETY ISSUES AND SECURITY Transport
Portfolio Committee MAY 2006 Wendy Watson Chief
Director Land Transport Regulation
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Outline of presentation
The Challenge SA situation Background
Strategic Imperatives International
perspectives Vision
Proposed Actions Management Institutional
Reform Road Environment Driver Fitness Vehicle
Fitness Pedestrians
Targets And Outcomes
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Context Government responses
2001 Road to Safety Long term strategy iro
enabling environment, physical programs and
institutions
1997 Short term strategies, reactive Eg. Arrive
Alive / Tourist Bus Accident Package / Operation
Juggernaut / Patrol vehicle project
2006 Consideration of Incorporating
international Models to improve Road to
Safety program
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Context

• Road traffic safety affects every citizen and
  remains a public interest issue
• Road traffic safety levels in South Africa are
  unsatisfactory and unacceptable
• Cost of accidents /-R40 billion in 2005, as well
  as immeasurable pain suffering. 38 deaths (3
  taxi related, 16 pedestrian), 21 disabling
  injuries and 125 serious injuries every day.

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Traffic volumes and vehicle ownership increases
year-on-year.
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The rate of deaths per 100 million vehicle
kilometres dropped between 2002 and 2004, but
increased in 2005.
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Summary Overview - results

• There was a slight increase of 1.23 in the
  number of fatal road crashes from 973 accidents
  in December 2003 to 985 in December 2004. The
  increase in December 2005 was 19.8.
• There has been an increase in traffic volumes of
  12, and an increase in vehicle registration of
  around 7 in 2006
• The first four months of 2006 showed an increase
  in fatal crashes and fatalities measured over
  2005. This is predictable and relates to
  increased traffic volumes and number of vehicles
  on the road.

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What has been achieved since 2003?

• Improved training of traffic officers, general
  syllabus and 5000 trained in hazardous goods
  control.
• Highway patrol of 120 vehicles.
• Emotive television and radio campaign reaching
  97 of people in SA.
• SIU contract to investigate drivers licenses.
• Tender for feasibility study into Periodic
  Vehicle Testing
• Establishment of RTMC
• National Call Centre established and
  functional.
• Statistics booklets published two editions.

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Achievements continued

• Legislative and regulatory changes made to NRTA
• National Law Enforcement Code nearly
  completed.
• Incident Management Manual completed.
• SANS code for bus drivers completed SANS
  10399
• Inspections of DLTCs and VTSs completed during
  year, and start made on registration of driving
  schools.
• New PrDP qualifications being developed.