South Africa is among the world’s worst when it comes to road accidents – a fact that is emphasised every year during the holiday periods when the number of accidents rise.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe told a two-day transport indaba in Soweto last month that, on average, 13 000 lives are lost on our roads every year, costing the economy R43-billion a year.
The main causes of accidents are alcohol and drug abuse, unroadworthy vehicles, poor observation of road signs by drivers and pedestrians, and unlicensed driving.
Trevor Gozhi of the department of transport said road safety should begin at school so learners grow up knowing how to behave on the roads.
He said it is important for teachers to educate pupils about the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs, the dangers of unlicensed driving and unroadworthy vehicles and the importance of respecting the rules of the road.
So serious is the scale of road carnage that Cabinet recently met to discuss the problem and adopted a “Road Safety Strategy”. Gozhi said the strategy rests on the following fundamentals:
the contribution that traffic management can make to achievement of the government’s growth Âinitiative, Asgisa;
the need for a reduction in unnatural causes of death;
the Millennium Development goals for the transport sector; and
the provision of an enabling environment for the 2010 World Cup.
He said in order to help reduce road accidents, drivers should:
adhere to speed limits;
wear seat belts;
not drink and drive; and
rest, as fatigue is a silent killer.
It is hoped that by 2014, road- related accidents would have been reduced by 50%. This can only be achieved “through comprehensive strategy, involving all role players”, accompanied by a strong commitment to achieving the target.
‘They were little angels’
Uppermost in Salamina Mpotulo’s mind was clearing the workload that was piling up in her in-tray. So the principal of Mzamo Primary School in Orlando West, Soweto, arrived early for work. Little did she expect a call informing her that two learners had been killed in a road accident.
“I had hardly started [work] when I got a call from a hysterical colleague, who told me that Smangele Maxakatho (14) and Portia Madonsela (8) were killed by a runaway car,” said Mpotulo.
The principal rushed to the scene, where she saw the two bodies covered with blankets.
“That kind of sealed it. I didn’t have to ask. It was clear they were gone,” she said.
Reports said the driver was running away from another accident he had caused. He lost control of the car and hit the girls.
“Every one of us was shattered by this. These were really pretty and bright little angels from whom we expected a lot, and their passing is really a sad loss to us,” said Mpotulo.
She said more lives could be spared if the authorities listened to their pleas and put up road signs and speed bumps near the school.
“Our school is situated next to a dangerous sharp curve but there is not a single sign, speed bump or road marking to alert drivers to slow down. This makes our children sitting ducks,” said Mpotulo.
Mpotulo said attempts to communicate with the relevant authorities to erect signs did not seem to be treated seriously. She hoped the accident would urge them to do something.