North NPO joins effort to reduce road fatalities this festive season
The campaign encourages all road users to buckle up, observe speed limits, and ensure that vehicles are roadworthy.
Drive More Safely, a non-profit organisation in the north of Pretoria held a crash awareness campaign to address the alarming number of road fatalities in the area.
The organisation presented Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) as a fresh approach to combatting the tragic fatalities during the festive season.
The NPO founded by Alida Venter 18 years ago after the loss of her eldest son in a road crash, has been dedicated to reducing road fatalities.
Venter said the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) embraced the initiative and recognised it as the national festive season road safety project.
The event has also been graced by notable guests, including from metro police, Sinoville SAPS, Road Accident Fund, Gauteng Traffic Police, and local businesses such as Fleetmax Drive Smart, Buco Wonderboom, Bakkie Spares, and Bosveld Kwekery.
“The organisation has received three international awards for this initiative. The urgency of our mission is very clear: every year, over 15 000 people die in road crashes in this country with human error accounting for most of these preventable tragedies,” said Venter.
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Venter highlighted the several factors that contributed to road crashes, including speeding, alcohol abuse, unroadworthy vehicles, failure to use seatbelts and appropriate child restraints.
She said fatigue during long drives, especially during holiday seasons is also a major cause of accidents.
The campaign encourages all road users to buckle up, observe the speed limit, and ensure their vehicle is roadworthy.
“Let’s make this festive season one where no family has to face the devastation of losing a loved one due to a preventable road accident.”
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The Department of Roads and Transport also launched the 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign on December 1.
The following was extracted from the RTMC State of Road Safety Report for the period January 1 to December 31, 2023:
– There were 11 883 deaths in 10 180 crashes.
– 5 360 pedestrians lost their lives on our roads, 1 412 in Gauteng.
– 21.3% of road deaths involved hit-and-run incidents.
– Alcohol and speed are two of the biggest contributors to road deaths.
– 1 285 road deaths were during the festive season.
Minister Barbara Creecy urged road users to take the necessary precautions to keep safe this festive season.
“Before any journey, check your vehicle and make sure it is roadworthy. Carry a valid driver’s licence and make sure your Public Driving Permit is in order if you need one.
If you are a pedestrian, make smart choices by only crossing the road at a marked intersection or pedestrian crossing. Avoid jaywalking, and wear bright clothing at night.
Fatigue is a silent killer. If you’re on a long road, take a break every two hours or every 200km. Remember, buckle up and stay within the speed limit,” said Creecy.
Creecy said residents must not drink and drive.
Through Project EDWARD, Drive More Safely hopes to raise awareness and make a lasting impact by advocating for road safety.
“It’s possible if we all just obey the rules of the road.”
As the festive season approaches, the campaign asks every driver to help turn this dream into reality by driving safely and responsibly.
“Let us this year make memories and not mistakes.”
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