Question NW2160 to the Minister of Transport
01 November 2016 - NW2160
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) is being done to improve road safety in preparation for the anticipated high volume of vehicles expected on the roads in all provinces during the upcoming 2016 festive season, (b) coordination is being done with other levels of Government in this regard and (c) targets have been set?
Reply:
a) The National Road Safety Steering Committee (NRSSC) as a Coordinating structure for Road Safety in the Republic and as mandated by the Minister of Transport has in collaboration with Provinces collected and analyzed Road Traffic information consisting of a 5 year historic information on traffic flows, fatalities and fatal crashes for purposes of 2016/2017 Festive Season Strategic Operational Planning with the following focus areas amongst others:
- Pedestrian management and enforcement;
- Drinking and driving;
- Speed enforcement;
- Vehicle roadworthy testing
- Public transport;
- Passenger safety;
- Fatigue management and
- Moving violations.
The Strategic Operational Plan will also focus on key high traffic volume routes like the N1, N3, N4 etc. Built up areas will be prioritized particularly during days and times that have been identified to be responsible for high fatality rate.
b) The Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETCOM) as a subcommittee of NRSSC is in the process of coordinating the development and consolidation of both national, provincial and municipal road safety plans in order to produce one Integrated Festive Season Road Safety and Traffic Law Enforcement Plan for 2016.
c) The National Road Safety Steering Committee has adopted a 50% reduction of reported fatalities as compared to figure reported in the previous festive season period. This target is informed by the target set in the United Nations Decade of Action 2020 and the draft National Road Safety Strategy 2016-2030 target.