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Date
: 09/10/2006
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Mahlalela: Launch of Mpumalanga festive season Arrive Alive
campaign
Address on the occasion of the launch of Mpumalanga festive season
Arrive Alive campaign by MEC for Roads and Transport, M AF
Mahlalela, Lochiel Open Ground
Programme Director,
Honourable MECs,
Executive mayors and councillors,
Senior officials from government departments,
Officials from local municipalities,
Representatives from Road Traffic Management Corporation
(RTMC)
Representatives from Sasol, Engen and South African Breweries
(SAB)
Representatives from the business community,
Members of the media,
Our road safety ambassadors,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good day,
Last night in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality in this region
(Gert Sibande) we witnessed an important occasion of the launch of
the Provincial Road Safety Strategy.
We again in the same spirit and breath here today, six days after
the national launch of the Arrive Alive campaign in Cullinan, in
the province of Gauteng gather to launch our Arrive Alive campaign
with special focus on our theme of "Cabulela Ekhaya" / "Obey the
rules or face the fire."
Programme Director, I must hasten to say that we are delighted to
join with you all here today in our fight to reduce road accidents.
This festive season campaign demonstrates once more how we at
partnership level working with all departments, business, private
sector and other organisations are committed to bringing about a
safer driving environment in our province.
At the occasion of the launch of the Provincial Road Safety
Strategy, we have reiterated our philosophy of a better life for
all and that we are custodians of such a noble idea.
This has been realised through one of the greatest advances
achieved in society after the 1994 breakthrough, which is the
growth and diversity of transport options. In particular mass
transport modes and private or individual transport alternatives
have made our province accessible to the great majority of us and
have since broadened our horizon and knowledge.
However, as the economy grows so is transport with its diversity
hence we have witnessed the tragedy and loss of death and injury
that has become directly associated with the utilisation of all the
modes available to us. As some of us are aware that the greatest
diversity is found on our road network and truly it is there that
the greatest dangers of fatalities and injuries have been most
evident.
Programme Director, ladies and gentleman, last year during the
launch of the Arrive Alive in Delmas we have mentioned that the
2002 World Health Organisation (WHO) report clearly indicates that
road transport systems cause one of the greatest public health
problems in society. The same report further suggest that the
number of traffic fatalities will be more than double over the next
15 years globally and our province is no exception and traffic
deaths will become the third largest cause of death globally.
If this report is anything to go by, then we are losing the war or
battles. For instance in 2005 we lost 46 drivers compared to 41 in
2004 increase by five; 69 passengers in 2005 compared to 80 in
2004, 11 decrease; 51 pedestrians in 2005 compared to 37 in 2004,
14 increase. Overall is 166 in 2005 compared to 158 in 2004 festive
season which is an increase of about eight. In terms of our road
safety strategy, we would, on a monthly basis make analysis of
crashes and fatalities which would serve as a guide for our road
safety activities. There is also a dramatic increase in crashes;
for example in 2005 there were 104 compared to 134 crashes in 2004,
increased by 30.
Once again, within a week, 1 to 6 December 2006, the awful tragedy
visited on the people of this province wherein 25 people lost their
lives. This week only provides a telling and poignant reminder of
our vulnerability. Of the 25, five are from Nkangala, 17 Gert
Sibande and three from Ehlanzeni Region.
Comparatively these numbers though alarming are a clear indication
that together we can achieve our stated goals because few years
ago, Nkangala has always been topping the list but ever since we
paid special attention we now see good signs of achievement;
perhaps we need to put more efforts in this region.
Ladies and gentlemen, the loss of our children in particular, our
best and brightest future marks these deaths with a particular
sense of acute loss.
Programme Director, today's event affords me a public opportunity
to express again my deep condolences to the families of those who
died on our roads including those who died since the start of the
season and express the hope that those suffering the trauma of
injuries as a result of those collisions will soon regain their
strength. The festive season audit highlights not only the dangers
of our road use but also speaks volume of our need to meet the
challenges of these dangers. We have learned many lessons in
relation to road safety especially over the last two years.
One of those lessons is that the best approach on road safety is a
co-ordinated one, involving all those who can contribute to safer
road travel. This must be based on a targeted programme of
initiatives directed at the main contributing factors to
collisions. Such approaches are the bedrock of road safety policy
in the best performing countries throughout the world.
We have just adopted and launched our strategy which places a
particular emphasis on the area of drinking and driving. The survey
of 2004 by the Medical Research Council (MRC) indicated that an
estimated number of 391 fatal crashes happened as a direct result
of drinking and driving; speeding was 4 183; wearing of seatbelts
was 50 percent; professional driving permits 3 876 and unroadworthy
was 3,38 percent.
These highlights show that the continued general increase in the
level of lawlessness with regard to these offences is unacceptably
high.
As you should be aware that our road safety budget is limited but
our needs are unlimited, we have therefore successfully established
a good partnership with the private sector; companies such as
Putco, Sasol and Engen to mention just a few and they have since
made remarkable contributions and we would like to appreciate the
good work.
We have recently made available high performance vehicles in order
to patrol and conduct random stops and checks and shall in the near
future provide the necessary instruments and systems that involve
the provision of breath samples to determine the concentration of
alcohol in the breath.
More worryingly is that alcohol concentration or breath results
have always been more than thrice the exceeded limit. We hope the
introduction of pounding of vehicles and disqualification of
offenders would go a long way in trying to address our plight of
reducing road accidents.
Our strategy reflects that motorists must expect tougher law
enforcement on our roads. There will be no compromise as a number
of enforcement blitzes have been planned with a strong focus on
alcohol, speeding, overloading, vehicle and driver fitness and
critically pedestrians' safety.
We all share the responsibility to always obey traffic laws,
especially those related to the above offences. We need everyone's
co-operation in order to make this a safer festive season. The
message is clear "Arrive Alive", "cabulela ekhaya."
I sincerely hope that the efforts of road safety partners,
ambassadors, government and agencies will instil in all drivers the
realisation that road accidents devastate lives, devastate families
and devastate communities.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Thank you!
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
9 December 2006
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