08 January 2009 8 January 2008

Initial indications of a significant reduction in road fatalities should be welcomed and taken to heart by every South African road user, says the Bridgestone/CARS (Committee for Active Road Safety) initiative.

“We see this as a significant development in the road safety efforts of numerous organisations and the authorities, which have proved so fruitless over the past years,” says the chairman of Bridgestone/CARS, Gavin Kelly. “It is essential though that the efforts and approach that have led to this turn-around be sustained and given added momentum. We need a united effort from government, the private sector and the road using public to achieve this.

“If all our perceptions of an improvement prove true, there is an urgent need for some active follow-up by all the parties. For instance: What was done differently in this holiday season compared with previous ones? There appeared to be a much stronger visibility of enforcement – was that the case, and by how much? There WAS a greater awareness amongst road users – how was this achieved?

“When we have these answers focused efforts can be made to sustain the improvement throughout the year as well as in all future holiday periods.

“We also believe that the priorities required and which should drive the efforts of all concerned for keeping up the momentum are encompassed in the CARS Five Point Credo which calls for:

• Transforming the mindset of all road users towards more responsible and safe behaviour and better enforcement of the law;
• Reducing road usage whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Drastically increasing the usage of seat belts;
• Reducing the high incidence of unroadworthy vehicles; and
• Implementing measures to reduce the high rate of deaths and injuries amongst pedestrians.”

“We believe the groundwork has now been laid, lets ensure that it is just the beginning of ongoing and major improvements,” says Kelly.