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
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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