Department of Transport

NATIONALROAD SAFETY

STRATEGY2006 onwards

Wendy WatsonChief Director: Road Transport Regulation

“ A lot of attention has gone into health care, education, housing and the economy, and transport has tended to be forgotten..

The good news is that in the last few years, government has become more aware that transport is critical … but what remains in deep crisis is the public transport reality”

Jeremy Cronin: Chair, Transport Portfolio Committee quoted in the Pretoria News on 29th June 2006

MD goals

“Halve road Deaths in AfricaBy 2014”

Outline of presentation

The StrategyManagementInstitutional ReformRoad EnvironmentDriver and Vehicle Fitness

The South African Context--Millennium Dev. Goals--ASGISA--FIFA 2010

Targets

Critical Indicators

Achievements

Current Challenges

Recommendationsand resourcing

The 2006 Context and targets

• Millenium Development Goals 2014•Reduce fatalities by 50%•Halve poverty in Africa

Reduction in Unnatural Causes of Death•Road Vehicle Accidents rank 7th after health issues

• FIFA World Cup 2010• Enabling environment - improved road safety• Properly coordinated traffic management

• ASGISA Goals 2014• Reduction of costs of accidents to the economy• Lives lost, disability, hours lost to production

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

TARGETS

The meeting of African Ministers of Transport in Addis Ababa in April 2006, identified the need to reduce fatalities on Africa’s roads by HALF, by 2014.

This gives us contributing targets for the FIFA 2010 World Cup and the ASGISA program.

All activities are aimed at this target – halving of road trauma by 2014 – this translates to 10% reduction per annum, and a saving of 40,000 lives by 2014.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

International perspective

Cost of crashes in Africa, DOUBLE total given in aid.

Cost $500 billion (R3000 billion +) worldwide

750,000 killed, 12-23 million injured, annually in developing world

By 2020 will be third highest cause of DALY’s – disease burden. (1. Heart disease, 2 Depression)

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

International RecommendationsWorld Bank report

1. Identify a lead agency.

2. Assess the problem.

3. Prepare a road safety strategy

4. Allocate sufficient financial and human resources

5. Implement specific actions

6. Support the development of national capacity.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Context: Government responses

2001: Road to Safety: Long term strategy iro enabling environment, physical programs and institutions

1997: Short term strategies, reactive

Eg. Arrive Alive / Tourist Bus Accident Package / Operation Juggernaut / Patrol vehicle project

2006: New strategy –Incorporating internationalModels. Prioritization of Public TransportRoad Traffic Management generallyPedestrian & Cyclists Safety

What has been achieved since 2003?

• Improved training of traffic officers, general syllabus and 5000 trained in hazardous goods control.

• Highway patrol of 120 vehicles.

• Emotive television and radio campaign reaching 97% of people in SA.

• SIU contract to investigate drivers licenses.

• Tender for feasibility study into Periodic Vehicle Testing complete

• Establishment of RTMC with four functional areas.

• National Call Centre established and functional.

• Statistics booklets published – two editions.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

• Legislative and regulatory changes made to NRTA

• Operation Juggernaut, Operation Emisa and other short-term strategies implemented.

• National Law Enforcement Code nearly completed.

• Incident Management Manual completed.

• SANS code for bus drivers completed – SANS 10399

• Inspections of DLTCs and VTS’s completed during year, and start made on registration of driving schools.

• New PrDP qualifications being developed.

Achievements continued

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

CurrentChallenges

• Non compliant society – no respect for law• Alcohol abuse widespread• Inadequate enforcement – concentration on speed – not moving violations and alcohol.• Fine collection only 17%• Urban speed limits too high for pedestrians• Coordination through three tiers of government• Behavior change difficult to achieve• Fraud and Corruption rife throughout the industry.

[PMG note: graphics not included, please email info@pmg.org.za]

Public Transport

Taxi RecapitilisationBus Contract RestructuringScholar Transportation

74% of households depend on public transport- this must be our emphasis.

Departmental and Social Priorities 2006 onwards

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

• Road traffic safety affects every citizen and remains a public interest issue and levels are unsatisfactory and unacceptable.

• 2005: Cost of accidents R43 billion as well as immeasurable pain & suffering. 38 deaths, 21 disabling injuries and 125 serious injuries every day. 20,000 families having a member killed or disabled.

2006 Context

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Factors in Crashes

Vehicle, Road and Driver Crash Cause Interactions

Driver91%

Road32%

Vehicle9%

( Driver only 64% )

Vehicle only 3%

Driver and Road 25%

( Road only 2%)

Vehicle and Road 4%

Public Transport priorities

o Extra traffic personnel to enforce standards for the Taxi Recapitilisation Program.

o Auditing of Vehicle Testing Centres to service Taxi Recap Program.

o Monitoring and enforcement of the permit system including Professional Driving Permits

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Scholar Transport priorities

o For scholar transport, providing law, enforcement technical support, MOU with DOE to address management and compliance with safety standards

o Providing training and capacity development to support the industry.

o Reduction of speed limits and traffic calming around schools – to international norm 30-40 kph.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Road Traffic Management, Coordination and Enforcement

• Develop a culture of proper road traffic enforcement.

• New values driven by service delivery• Research and development • Capacity development in various levels of

oversight over road traffic management matters.

• Proper coordination of road traffic matters across all spheres of Government.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Enforcement of Pedestrians and Cyclists Safety

• Pedestrian visibility campaigns

• Education of school children

• Reduction of speed limits in areas of heavy pedestrian activity

[PMG note: graphics not included, please email info@pmg.org.za]

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Implementation Instruments

– Management, good governance and co-ordination

– Institutional Reform – Regulatory Framework

– Road Environment quality– Driver Fitness– Vehicle Fitness– Utilization of Technology– Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Traffic Offence Rates to be achieved by 2010

Offence Current Rate Target Rate

Speed

% of drivers exceeding the speed limit

17% 5%

Alcohol

% of drivers exceeding the legal limit

4,3 % 0.4%

Barrier Line

% of offences per hour per barrier line

0,9% 0,1%

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Traffic Offence Rates to be achieved by 2010 (2)

Offence Current Rate Target Rate

Traffic Signals

% of red phase offences

28% 5%

Seat Belts

% of vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts

Drivers: 17%

Front Passengers:36%

Rear

Passengers: 97%

Drivers: 5%

Front

Passengers

5%

Rear

Passengers

10%

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Traffic Offence Rates to be achieved by 2010 (3)

Offence Current Rate Target Rate

Driving Licence

% of drivers not holding legal licence

2.3% 1%

Professional Driving Permit

% of drivers not holding valid permit*

15,6 1%

Vehicle Types

% of vehicles with defective tyres*

21,3% 2,5%

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Reduction – Crashes 88 hazardous locations,

per 100 000km traveled

Province Present rate (2006) of fatal crashes per 100,000 kms

Target rates by 2014

Gauteng 466 233

KwaZulu Natal

523 261

Western Cape 328 164

Eastern Cape 593 297

Free State 158 79

Mpumalanga 332 167

North West 172 86

Limpopo 148 74

Western Cape 62 31

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Approved Strategy

A. The Road Safety Strategy comprising the following:

1. Prioritizing Public Transport Safety2. Road Traffic Management Coordination and

Enforcement – transfer of functions to RTMC3. Enforcement of the Pedestrian and Cyclists

Safety4. The review of progress to be on annual basis

between adoption and 2014

All efforts to be aimed at behavior change…..

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

STRATEGY (Cont. 1)

B. Approval of the following implementation instruments:

Utilization of technology for effective enforcement -Speed calming camera

systems on main routes

Multidisciplinary Road Blocks - Visibility of road traffic personnel - 1000

traffic checking “road block” exercises daily

Emotive advertising, road traffic education and public relations efforts to

ensure support of the public.

Implementation of RTIA – AARTO legislation

Stronger, more effective sentencing – Engagements with DOJ

Including - license suspension for excessive speed

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Reduction of speed limits in areas of high pedestrian activity to 30 to 40 kph and of vehicles carrying passengers on load areas to 80 kph.

Training courses and practical tests for PrDP holders

Probationary period for learner drivers, once they have passed the practical driving test-

Driver re-training and testing after serious crashes or repeat violations.

Declaration of enforcement as Essential Service to enable 24/7 policing.

STRATEGY (Cont. 2)

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

STRATEGY (Cont. 3)

Introduction of Periodic Vehicle Testing, and camera systems at Vehicle Testing Stations and return of inspection responsibilities to DOT from SABS

Use of technology to support enforcement – videos in vehicles, micro-dotting, electronic vehicle identification and development of CVD devices and utilisation.

Regulation of the Driving School Industry.

Further investigations and prosecutions of those involved in Fraud and Corruption in the industry.

Training and employment of extra traffic personnel, including a “swat” team at RTMC to attend to serious incidents and challenges.

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

REVIEW PROCESS

Annual progress review of entire strategy, with reporting to the annual Transport Lekgotla.

Special reviews at critical times ie before the FIFA 2010 World Cup, to ensure adequate levels of progress against objectives.

[PMG note: graphics not included, please email info@pmg.org.za]

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

MTEF budget request

RTIA-AARTO – R10m, R19.6m, R11.34mNew Technology – R3m, R3.18m, R3.37mRegulation of Driving Schools Industry - R3m. R3.18m, R3.37mComputerised Learner License - R10m, R15m, R20mPrDP training and testing – R5m, R5.3,, R5.61mBatho Pele training for registration centres - R2m, R2.12m, R2.25mDangerous Goods Inspectorate – R5m, R5.3m, R5.6mVTS – R2.5m, R2.65m, R2.8mTotal new spend: Year 1: R40.5 million

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

“The Minister’s view is that we really don’t need to debate these things any more. Implementation is the name of the game.” Ian Phillips, Advisor to Minister of Transport. SMS - 18 August 2006.

The potential saving in 8 years is 57,457 lives, more than 25,000 permanently disabling injuries and R141 billion.

We have been given a challenge.We cannot fail to rise to it and meet it head on!

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Spending on Road Safety is not

A COST,

It is

AN INVESTMENT

MD goals

“Halve road

Deaths in Africa

By 2014”

Department

of Transport

Thank you