Seminar maps way forward for road safety programme

The Department of Basic Education, together with the Department of Transport and its entities, on Tuesday, held a seminar to discuss learner road safety issues.

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Vulnerable road users

Dr Pieter Venter, from the Global Perspective of Road Safety, specifically pedestrian safety, said more attention should be focused on school learners as they are most affected by road safety.

According to Dr Venter's presentation, every year there are 1. 24 million road traffic deaths worldwide, young adults aged between 15 and 44 years account for 59 percent of global road traffic deaths. Of the total number, 92 percent of the road traffic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. "Vulnerable road users account for half of all road traffic deaths globally, pedestrians, cyclists and riders of motorised two-wheelers and their passengers are collectively known as vulnerable road users," Dr Venter told the delegates at the seminar.

Speed reductions in all places around schools can reduce fatalities

Avi Silverman, also from the Global Perspective of Road Safety, expressed concern that the Decade of Safety campaign was not succeeding as expected due to financial constraints. Silverman mentioned highway crossings by school children as one of the main causes of fatalities.

He emphasised the need for road safety education in schools. He mentioned speed humps as a solution to forcing motorists to reduce speed especially in areas around schools. He suggested speed reduction in all the places around schools, saying this could reduce fatalities by 30 percent. "Multiple efforts needed to make an impact," he said.

Disregard for road rules

Thandi Moya from the Department of Transport, in her presentation mentioned high speed, pedestrians, overtaking, turning in front of oncoming traffic and disregard of red traffic lights as the main causes of road fatalities. "We need to strengthen our policies to deal with the fatalities," she said, adding that there is also a need to deal with attitude and the behaviour of road users.

Also speaking at the seminar was Mpho Mokhantso from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) encouraged teaching of road safety in schools. He expressed concern on lack of coordination in ensuring road safety issues are adhered to.

Elna Fourie from Road Safety Education echoed the same sentiments that road safety should be taught in schools. She expressed concern about highways passing through communities, adding that there is a need for pedestrian crossing in some areas.