Bloodbath on nation's roads but Western Cape cutting deaths - Ian Ollis

(Image: Danie van der Merwe, via Wikimedia Commons)

Ollis says that the DA, which governs the Western Cape, will be calling for a special parliamentary investigation and debate on the high death toll on South Africa's roads.

"The investigation and debate should result in the recommendation of programmes that will reduce the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads, as well as a review of the manner in which these deaths are reported by the Department of Transport.

"The festive season road death toll figures released today by the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters indicate that, at a preliminary estimation, 1,376 people lost their lives on South Africa's roads between 1 December 2013 and 7 January 2014.

"Families around South Africa have lost mothers, fathers, daughters and sons in unnecessary road traffic accidents that could have been avoided," says Ollis.

He says that in order to stem the tide, a major shift is needed to drastically reduce the number of lives lost on our roads.

In the Western Cape, says Ollis, indications are that there will be a continued reduction in the festive season road death toll this year, and he claims the province is well on its way to reaching its goal of reducing road deaths by 50% by the end of 2014.

Interventions on the roads

The Western Cape's successes, says Ollis, are largely as a result of the implementation of innovative and practical interventions such as:
• 24/7 year round enforcement - not just festive season road blocks;
• Removal of all un-roadworthy vehicles, unlicensed vehicles and drivers;
• Innovative multimedia campaigns; and
• Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement technology covering a total of 351.5km of the province's most dangerous roads.

"Of major concern, is the accuracy of the figures released by Minister Peters today (9 January).

"The announcement of the preliminary festive season road deaths figures today, is four days early. This means that these figures do not take into account the upcoming weekend - where families will be driving from holidays to get back home in time for the new school term - one of the busiest weekends of the festive season. This is dishonest," says Ollis.

He says the Department of Transport uses South African Police Services (SAPS) reports to measure road deaths in the country, and not data from forensic mortuaries across the country. "This lends itself to under-reporting. The Medical Research Council of SA and experts have warned against the under-reporting that results due to reliance only on SAPS reports," says Ollis.

"The bottom line is that precious lives have been lost on our roads this festive season and Minister Peters has a responsibility to report on the matter fairly. She has not done so.

"It is hoped that this debate will be granted, and a parliamentary investigation conducted. Parliament needs to reinstate itself as the centre of problem solving in our country.

"Too many have died on our roads and it is time Parliament stood up for all those who have lost loved ones on our roads."