The recent festive season road safety statistics recently unveiled by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy have ignited a renewed call for action amid growing concerns over road safety in South Africa.
The figures reveal an alarming spike in fatalities, with over 1500 lives lost during this critical period, marking a distressing 5.3% increase compared to the previous year’s festive season.
The surge in road deaths has triggered a wave of concern from various voices across the nation, including the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), which represents over 170,000 employees across its eight associations in the automotive aftermarket sector.
Ipeleng Mabusela, the CEO of strategy and corporate support for the RMI, emphasised that a collective shift in driver behaviour, paired with stricter enforcement of road safety measures, is essential in combating this crisis.
“Beyond ongoing educational campaigns aimed at changing driving behaviour, we believe more must be done, particularly regarding vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness,” asserted Mabusela.
He also underscored that regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to industry standards are crucial steps in promoting safer driving conditions and ultimately reducing road accidents.
It is explained that with many South Africans keeping their vehicles longer without adequate maintenance, the risks of mechanical failures that contribute to accidents become significantly heightened.
“Proper vehicle care is a proactive step towards preventing avoidable incidents. Drivers must ensure their vehicles are in optimal condition before hitting the road,” Mabusela urged.
Adding to the concern is the fact that a staggering 79% of the vehicle population in South Africa does not undergo regular roadworthiness testing.
Vehicles are only scrutinised for road safety upon a change of ownership, with public transport vehicles subjected to stricter testing schedules.
This means approximately 13 million vehicles, mainly motor cars and station wagons, remain unchecked for roadworthiness on a regular basis.
“Only about 21% of our total vehicle population is regularly tested,” he said.
RISE Mzansi, another organisation advocating for road safety, has echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need for consistent, year-round policing and awareness campaigns.
“South African roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for road users, especially during peak times such as the festive and Easter seasons,” the organisation stated.
The party believes that a different approach is necessary to achieve the goal of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030, as outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2016-2030.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has also called on the government to implement robust enforcement of road laws, arguing for substantial penalties for violations.
“There should be zero tolerance for contraventions of the laws of the road, and the government must invest in quality road infrastructure and proper designs to save lives,” the PSA insisted, stressing the necessity of ongoing awareness campaigns beyond just peak seasons.
Saturday Star