DECADE OF ACTION : PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

1. DECADE OF ACTION : PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT Department of Transport • “A TRANSPORT SECTOR THAT IS SAFE AND SECURE” • Presentation by Advocate James Mlawu • Deputy Director General – Road Transport • Department of Transport

2. Presentation Outline Department of Transport • Introduction • Background to the Decade of Action • The Five Pillars of the Decade of Action • Minister’s Commitment to the Decade of Action • Flagship Projects/programmes • New Initiatives • Working together

3. Introduction Department of Transport • World-wide road traffic injuries are one of the top three causes of death for people aged between 5 and 44 years of age. (WHO – 2009) • 1,3 million people globally die on roads while 20 – 50 million are injured due to motor crashes. • In SA we lose roughly 14 000 people per annum which translates to an average of 35 – 40 people dying on our roads. Thousands more are injured, many permanently.

4. Comments by UN Secretary General Department of Transport “Global road deaths and injury is a major public health problem with a broad range of socialand economic consequences which, if unaddressed, may affect the sustainable development of countries and hinder progress towards the Millennium Development Goals”. Ban Ki -moon

5. What is the Decade of Action Campaign? Department of Transport • The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 – 2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety globally • The Minister of Transport, Mr Sbu Ndebele has committed SA in pursuit of the objectives of the global road safety campaign. • The objectives of the Decade of action is to stabilize, then reduce the forecasted level of road traffic casualties around the world.

6. The Five Pillars of the Decade of actions Department of Transport 1.Road Safety Management 2. Safer Roads and Mobility 3. Safer Vehicles 4. Safer Road Users 5. Post Crash Response

7. Road Safety Management Department of Transport The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), an agency of the Department of Transport dealing with implementation has developed a national Road Safety Strategy which was approved by the Shareholders’ Committee. This strategy is in support of the National Department’s overall road safety strategy and its interventions.

8. Safer Roads and Mobility Department of Transport • Introduction of the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP) in order to identify, assess and reduce the number of high risk roads in SA. • The taxi recapitalization programme is on-going with approximately 10 000 vehicles scrapped per annum. • Promoting the use of public transport such as the bus rapid transport system • Development of dedicated lanes for non-motorised transport in certain cities. • Scholar patrol project which allows 6 million learners to safely cross the roads.

9. Safer Road Users Department of Transport • Road safety debates competition for learners • The Multi-media Road Safety Educational campaign • The International Driver of the Year Contest will this year be hosted by SA. • The Participatory Educational Techniques promoting road safety for secondary school learners.

10. Safer Road Users Department of Transport • The Implementation of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) focusing on driver fitness and vehicle fitness. • Roll out of the Administrative Adjudication of Road traffic Offences. • * Adoption of the Junior traffic Training Centre • * Mkhuzeni Campaign • * Media campaign including TV adverts

11. Safer Vehicles Department of Transport • Aggressive law enforcement campaign looking at - Driver fitness • Fatigue management • Vehicle fitness • - Moving violations • - Transport documents • Loads management strategy in place. • Introduction of the six months Periodic Testing of Buses. • New standards for public passenger transport vehicles • Introduction of seatbelt requirements for ALL passengers in a motor vehicle. Introduction of roll-over protection for public transport vehicles.

12. Post Crash Care Department of Transport • The road safety works closely with rescue Services at all tiers of government in order to reduce the “golden hour”. • The Department is also engaging with the Road Accident Fund in facilitating the speedy resolution of claims.

13. New Initiatives Department of Transport • Introduction of the New Car Assessment Programme for SA • Establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Unit to deal with issues at the roadside, Driver License Testing Centres and Vehicle Testing Stations – Centre No. 0861 400-800 • Introduce Microdotting of motor vehicles to deal with theft of motor vehicles.( Amending Regulation 56 of the NRTR – deals with identification of motor vehicles).

14. New Initiatives Department of Transport • Introducing Periodic motor vehicle testing based on age/mileage. (Amend Regulation 138 of the NRTA- which deals with the motor vehicle roadworthy testing ). Introducing a provisional driving license system – Development of a position paper. (Amendment of Section 13 and 14- Deals with categories of licenses: • By introducing a new type of licenses called the provisional driving licence

15. New Initiatives cont’ Department of Transport • Review of current speed limits, especially in built-up areas and areas of high pedestrian visibility. (Amend regulation 292 of the NRTA-dealing with the General Speed Limit). • Reviewing the current prescribed alcohol limit to Zero percent. (Amend Section 65 of the NRTA – prescribed the alcohol contents in a persons blood specimen). • Introduction of new regulations to regulate the Driving School Industry. ( Amend section 28 of the NRTA- cater for the regulation of driving schools).

16. New Initiatives cont’ Department of Transport • Regulate the management of Fatigue. (Inserting Regulation of Driving Hours by amending Regulation 272A to 272E of the NRTA – to cater for the driving time and resting period of drivers).

17. How we can be more effective? Department of Transport • We need to join hands with all role-player and stakeholder groups in order to deal decisively and comprehensively with the challenges facing the road safety environment. • The Department together with its Agencies has programs of opportunities that can be explored for partnership in implementation • The roll-out of AARTO by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency Agency will assist us in changing the behaviour of motorist on our roads.

18. Department of Transport • Thank you!