CHAPTER TWO
2.6 Challenges and Opportunities
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In the next section the opportunities will be discussed.
2.6.2 Opportunities
2.6.2.1 Enforcement
High levels of publicity with 1 million vehicle checks from October 2010
South African Breweries support for alcohol centres, 1 in Gauteng, 2 in Western Cape with another 2 under construction and 1 in KwaZulu-Natal
The high levels of non-compliance, means that there is vast room for improvement.
2.6.2.2 Education in the South African Context .
Training of Road Safety officials with Community Road Safety Council (CRSC) is a possibility to improve skills.
More partnerships with the private sector are being established with general commitment towards road safety being more clearly understood.
Wasted projects such as DOTY and other competition based-projects with limited impact and reach are now recognized as a poor use of resources.
Communities are getting more involved in road safety issues, leading to the development of community-based ambassadors and evangelism for road safety.
In this section the researcher will discuss the various education programmes that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has implemented to address the challenges that have been identified.
42 Participatory Education Techniques (PET)
This programme targets high school learners. It involves research in a road safety problem near their school and community. Learners are trained in research methodology and how to identify a possible solution. Learners submit their written research as well as a prototype of their research and solution.
Scholar patrol
This programme targets primary school learners. Ten learners are trained by RTI personnel to assist the learners from the school to cross the roads in the mornings and afternoons. Learners are also issued with a manual demonstrating the various types of crossing at different schools and what steps are in place to ensure that all learners cross the roads safely. Learners also learn about road traffic rules and regulations.
Driver of the Year (DOTY)
Heavy duty and long distance drivers are targeted for this programme. Education and awareness is conducted at the freight companies as well as on strategic points of the N3 corridor. A wellness clinic is also held. This is to ensure the wellbeing of the drivers. The Department of Health and an NGO called Trucking Wellness assist with this programme. Drivers are screened for any health related issues that may impact on their long distance driving. The necessary remedial measures are also advocated.
Where possible, drivers are given immediate medical assistance at nearby clinics or hospitals.
Regional competitions are held in five different categories according to the size of the different types of vehicles. The tests are conducted, in the same way as the K53 driving test is conducted. The regional winners compete at a provincial level and then proceed to a national level. The national winners then compete at an international level. The international competitions are held every two years in Europe. It was held for the first time in South Africa in August 2012 at Sun City.
43 Awareness Campaigns
Awareness campaigns are conducted at taxi ranks and other areas that are identified as high risk areas. Community Road Safety Council members are allowed to conduct awareness campaigns on a monthly basis in their areas. This is done in conjunction with the Road Traffic Inspectorate personnel (RTI), members from the municipalities involved in community safety and liaison, members from church- based organisations and other stakeholders.
Debates
High school learners are targeted for this pogramme. One school per Community Road Safety Council (CRSC) area is chosen. In the Pietermaritzburg region, there are eight CRSC areas. There are four areas in the Umgungungdlovu district and four areas from the Sisonke district. There are eight schools that compete with each other on a knockout basis. The final two schools represent the region at a provincial level.
Schools are trained in the world style of debating on road safety topics. This is done to increase road safety awareness not only at a local or national level but at an international level.
Adult Pedestrian
This programme targets adult pedestrians. There is an emphasis on alcohol abuse and jay walking, especially in the rural communities. Community Road Safety Councils (CRSC) implements this programme in their communities. Risk factors associated with pedestrians are highlighted.
Interfaith
This strategy emphasizes the concept that road safety and awareness is everybody‟s business. It is also a part of everybody‟s moral and civic duty to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner. The rationale behind this is that if road safety becomes a part of religious catechisms on an ongoing basis and in a consistent manner then
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norms and values concerning road safety will become internalized. Religious forums are an ideal platform to address road safety issues, awareness and education campaigns. With this faith-based programmes adults as well as young road users are targeted.
To achieve these objectives the following strategies have been adopted.
Leaders of the various denominations must plan activities pertaining to road safety in their region
Road safety information must be disseminated in their parishes.
Road safety awareness and education must be an integral part of their religious discourses on a regular basis
One road safety topic per month must be discussed
Most people in rural areas manage the roads as non-motorised users, therefore there must be intensive education targeting pedestrians.
2.6.2.3 Engineering
Getting more people to use rail, Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), high occupancy vehicle lanes and Gautrain will improve safety.
Taxi re-capitalisation should improve safety, improved behaviour and safer vehicles, but only if seatbelts are worn and drivers are adequately trained.
The pothole remediation plan is in progress, with a budget being allocated specifically for this.
2.6.2.4 Evaluation
Improved relationships with other role players such as RTMC, RAF and EMS will enable us to collect more accurate data for evaluation purposes.
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