Safely Home: We're halfway there

Elim 060408.Ten people, including two toddlers, died in this horror crash between a Ford Sapphire and a minibus on the Potsdam Road last night. Picture Ian Landsberg

Elim 060408.Ten people, including two toddlers, died in this horror crash between a Ford Sapphire and a minibus on the Potsdam Road last night. Picture Ian Landsberg

Published Feb 15, 2012

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The target of a 50 percent reduction in road fatalities by 2014 has reached its halfway mark, the Western Cape department of Transport has announced.

In 2008 1739 people died on the province's roads. By 2011 that figure had decreased by 24 percent to 1321.

Transport MEC Robin Carlisle said that through various efforts of the Safely Home team, 839 fewer people had died.

The figures were revealed at a press conference on Tuesday as the department released an overview of the festive season and its future plans for road safety.

But there are still several challenges in addressing road fatalities, said Carlisle.

“The first 25 percent will be easier than the second 25 percent”

Statistics collected from forensic pathology showed that men aged 18 to 25 were the most problematic group of motorists.

Forensic pathology statistics showed that 243 people were killed between December 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012, down from the previous year's 259. Carlisle was disappointed that there had only been a six percent decrease.

Pedestrians and passengers, in equal parts, accounted for the bulk of road fatalities in December. Drivers were second, followed by cyclists, motorcyclists and, lastly, their pillions.

As part of the focus on driver fatigue, as of December 24, 3250 long-distance public transport drivers were forced to rest for up to four hours on the N1 route to the Eastern Cape. No taxi crashes were reported on that stretch after the project's initiation.

“Future plans include identifying the six most dangerous spots”

A total of 483 roadblocks were held in the two-month period with 161 989 vehicles being pulled over in the province.

Carlisle announced that the Average Speed Over Distance cameras on the 71km stretch between Beaufort West and Aberdeen was such a success it would be rolled out to other parts of the N1.

Since the installation of the cameras, the number of people speeding had decreased.

Future plans include identifying the six most dangerous spots, and Carlisle predicted that the N1 in De Doorns and the N2 in the Khayelitsha area would be on the list.

He said in De Doorns, people have been seen crossing the freeway underneath the pedestrian bridge, while on the N2, pedestrians found ways to cross concrete barriers and fences.

“Minibus taxis are responsible foir 90 percent of complaints from the public”

In an attempt to address this, three approaches would be looked at:

Speed bumps, additional traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.

Enforcement of the no walking on national roads rule.

Education.

The department has also partnered with taxi associations to change driver behaviour. Head of transport ministry Hector Eliott said although minibus taxis accounted for 10 percent of fatal crashes, they were responsible for 90 percent of complaints from the public.

Carlisle said several taxi associations were on board with responsible driver behaviour. - Cape Argus

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