SA’s road safety crisis – what is the answer?
What needs to be done to create safer roads for all road users: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians?
While the official road fatality statistics for 2017 have not yet been released, the figures for the festive period from 1 December 2017 to 15 January 2018 have been made public.
These show that 1 676 people died on South African roads during the holidays, compared to 1 714 the previous year.
According to the Automobile Association, South Africans have become desensitised to these figures, and despite numerous campaigns from government and non-governmental organisations, the numbers either stay the same or increase year after year.
Shawn Herbst of Netcare 911 said that during peak holiday season they see an escalated number of accidents on KwaDukuza roads.
So, what needs to be done to create safer roads for all road users: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians?
The following areas can be considered:
Driver behaviour
Too many drivers are still disobeying traffic laws.
Speeding remains a problem, and there seems to be a blatant disregard for speed limits on our roads. Very few drivers will admit to this, but they continue to push the boundaries and drive faster than they should.
This despite the fact that everyone knows that speed kills.
“A large number of road accidents fall into the ‘negligent drivers’ and ‘following distances’ categories,” said Herbst.
“Speed also plays a very big part in accidents and driver fatigue is another major concern for road users.”
Another offence committed by drivers and pedestrians alike is drinking and driving or drinking and walking.
“Drunk driving is still a concern and many road users have a blatant disregard for other roads users.”
Also read: Drive safely on the North Coast, or don’t drive at all
Being distracted while driving is another driver behaviour which needs to change.
This goes much further than talking on your cellphone or texting while driving. It includes, putting on make-up or your tie, eating, drinking and turning around to yell at the children on the backseat.
Unroadworthy vehicles
In December last year the results of the Safer Roads in SA survey showed that around 80 percent of motorists believe removing unroadworthy vehicles from our roads will make them safer.
Also read: When last did you check your tyres?
According to the Automobile Association, there are just too many unroadworthy vehicles on our roads for them all to be removed and they explore drivers to makebit their own responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy.
Pedestrian safety
Pedestrian fatalities account for over a third of the deaths on our roads.
At the same time, motorists also do not focus on the road enough, especially when it is dark, and often this combination of a lack of respect by pedestrians and motorists can end in disaster.
Also read: Pedestrian killed on N2 near Ballito
Another key aspect of pedestrian safety is visibility.
“Pedestrian accidents still pose a huge concern and high speed fatal accidents are often seen, especially on the freeways,” said Herbst. “These are devastating”
Education
Drivers and pedestrians of tomorrow need to be taught about road safety and traffic laws from an early age. This starts in the home so the message is to set a good example.
Teach your children to look both ways before crossing a road and to only do so at a designated area. They need to learn to respect other road users and to always be considerate, patient and courteous.
If you don’t speed, don’t give in to road rage, don’t drink and drive, and keep your vehicle in good shape, your children will learn that this is how things are done.
“Visible policing is also critical and general law enforcement for road users. We also need more school campaigns and Trauma Injury Prevention programmes,” said Herbst.
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