Road Safety Situation In South Africa - The AA Perspective Presentation to joint session of Transport Portfolio Committee and Mincom 19 February 2003

Agenda Brief History The Global Perspective South African Perspective Road to Safety 2001 – 2005 Road to Safety Projects Managing and Coordinating the Strategy Areas of Concern and Recommendations

Brief To provide the committee with the opinion and advice of the Automobile Association of South Africa regarding issues surrounding the Road to Safety 2001 – 2005, and more specifically the Arrive Alive campaign.

History The AA was established in 1930 and is a Section 21 company. The AA has always supported road safety initiatives and will continue to do so. The AA pledged its support to the Road to Safety strategy when it was launched in November 2001 and will continue to do so in future. The AA regularly commissions studies into road safety. In 2000 three studies were handed to the Minister of Transport entitled: –Traffic Law Enforcement in SA – the real picture –A situation report on Heavy Vehicle Overloading –Road funding and maintenance 1988 – 1999

Global Perspective In 2000 over 1.2 million people killed on the road More than people lose their lives every day in road traffic incidents By 2020 this figure is set to double and road injuries will be the number 3 cause of death in the world In some countries 1 in every 120 hospital beds is occupied by a victim of a road traffic crash 90% of all traffic casualties occurred in low and middle income countries

South African Perspective Last complete statistical reports available – traffic crashes in fatalities, seriously injured and slightly injured 40% of fatalities and injuries were pedestrians Total cost to SA economy R14 billion per year

Crashes by Vehicle Type

Crashes by Road User Type

Road to Safety 2001 – 2005 Critical areas of strategy were identified and project plans compiled. Each project was assigned a time frame and measurable deliverables The projects are focused on three areas namely; –The Road User –The Road Environment –The Vehicle

Road to Safety Projects Arrive Alive Pedestrian Safety Vehicle Fitness Driver Fitness Information Systems Fraud and Corruption Information and Call Centre Professionalism in the Traffic Fraternity Fleet Operations Road Infrastructure Overloading RTMC AARTO

Managing and Coordinating the Strategy Projects only identified in November 2001 Reasonable evaluations can only be expected in 2003 AA is a member of the Arrive Alive Committee and Road Traffic Safety Board which last met in June 2001 – no formal communication to or consultation of these committees

Areas of Concern and Recommendations Measurable data –Absence of reliable and measurable annual data Credit Card Format Driver’s Licence –Renewal –South Africans abroad Communication –Road Traffic Safety Board –Arrive Alive Steering Committee Causes of Collisions –Analysis of available information Seatbelts –Education and enforcement

Areas of Concern and Recommendations Public Perceptions and Awareness –Arrive Alive vs RTSS Law Enforcement –Critical element of road safety Corruption –Fine road users and officials Community Involvement –Active role Road User Education –Ongoing driver education

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