For immediate release 20 July 2010

RMI Welcomes transport minister's outline of road safety plan

South Africa’s Retail Motor Industry organisation has welcomed a speech by the Minister of Transport, Sibusiso Ndebele, in which he outlined Government’s line of attack regarding implementation of an encompassing road safety strategy for the country.
Speaking at the weekend at the Engcobo Provincial Prayer Service, Ndebele described traffic accidents in South Africa as an epidemic which cost in excess of R50-billion annually.

In spite of commitments to road safety made by Africa’s leaders – including endorsement of numerous globally initiated projects, among them the international Make Roads Safe campaign and an appeal in 2007 to the G8 summit to recognise the urgent need to improve road safety in Africa, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – he said the continent’s road deaths, currently over 200 000 a year, were predicted to rise by at least 80% by 2020.

According to Ndebele, road safety measures to be introduced in South Africa would include substantial, visible enforcement of traffic regulations and the identification and prosecution of repeat offenders.

He added that it was Government’s intention to implement education and communication campaigns showing the consequences of unsafe road behaviour, along with research to ensure a data driven, scientifically based road safety plan with tight stakeholder management.

Further, he said community road safety councils would also be introduced, aimed at identifying local road safety education issues which could be brought to the attention of relevant bodies and authorities.

Road blocks – up to 1 000 a day across the country – and the periodic testing of vehicles to ensure roadworthiness were among other measures which would be implemented.

In response to Ndebele’s speech, the CEO of the RMI, Jeff Osborne, said: “We believe the Minister has heeded calls for road safety implementation made not only by our organisation, but also by the millions of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who each day put their lives at risk by using the country’s roads.

“We are particularly pleased that he has made reference to periodic testing of vehicles for roadworthiness. For years the RMI has advocated the introduction of such a measure – in fact, we have implemented through one of our associations, the National Vehicle Testing Association, an annual voluntary roadworthy check.

“Also, we are pleased that he has drawn attention to the international Make Roads Safe campaign. The RMI has supported this initiative from inception in its effort to heighten awareness of the importance of global road safety.”

According to statistics released by the Make Roads Safe organisers, Africa has the highest road death rate per population in the world, with 32,2 people killed in traffic accidents per 100 000 population.

The organisers say traffic accidents are estimated to cost African countries between one and three percent of their Gross National Products and that, by 2015, road crashes will become the number one killer of children aged between five and14 in Africa, outstripping Malaria and HIV/Aids.

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Jeff Osborne at:
082 560 6630