AA advocates for longer-term law enforcement and road safety education
As Easter approaches, reminding everyone about the risks on busy roads is crucial. The AA takes the helm here, and tackles the inadequacy of sporadic safety campaigns.
With Easter fast approaching, it’s time to address the pressing issue of road safety, particularly during this busy holiday period. Despite previous efforts by the government to implement seasonal road safety campaigns, such as those over Easter, road fatalities continue to rise. The Automobile Association (AA) emphasises that more proactive measures are needed to address this trend.
The AA highlights the inadequacy of relying solely on sporadic campaigns, stressing the need for consistent traffic law enforcement and road safety education throughout the year. Short-term initiatives during peak holiday periods are unlikely to yield significant results in changing driver behaviour without sustained efforts.
In 2022, 161 fatalities were recorded during the Easter period, which tragically increased to 225 last year, representing an alarming 40% year-on-year rise. These statistics, coupled with South Africa’s persistently high annual road fatality rates, hinder the country’s progress towards achieving the United Nations Global Road Safety goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030.
The AA urges the government to consider several proposals to enhance road safety, including increasing the number of traffic law enforcers, enhancing visible policing on major roads, prioritising road infrastructure maintenance and implementing more extensive road safety education campaigns, especially in schools.
Furthermore, the AA advocates for year-round road safety campaigns, emphasising that efforts should not be limited to Easter or year-end periods. While government intervention is crucial, road users must also play their part by adhering to rules and regulations.
Here are some essential safety tips, courtesy of the AA
• Observe speed limits: Speeding contributes to nearly 30% of all fatal road crashes. Prioritise arriving safely over arriving quickly.
• Buckle up: Seat belts save lives. Ensure all passengers are buckled up correctly.
• Stay alert: Regularly check rear-view mirrors to monitor traffic and anticipate potential hazards.
• Combat fatigue: Take breaks every two hours or every 200km to combat driver fatigue, which can be as dangerous as driving under the influence.
• Avoid distractions: Keep your focus on the road by avoiding distractions like cellphone usage or eating while driving.
• Respect pedestrians: Share the road responsibly and prioritise pedestrian safety.
• Maintain a safe following distance: Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front to allow for adequate reaction time.
• Overtake safely: Only overtake when it is safe and legal to do so, ensuring clear visibility of oncoming traffic.
Ensuring your vehicle is in good mechanical condition is also paramount before embarking on any journey. Make road safety a priority this Easter – and beyond.
Source: AA
