Cape Town – The Department of Transport will, over the next three years, invest billions of rands in the country’s transport infrastructure in a bid to reduce road deaths.
Commuter rail infrastructure, identified as the safest mode of transport, will receive the lion’s share of the allocation, as the department makes a push to shift passengers from road to rail.
This is according to Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, who was addressing a seminar on road safety at the Southern Sun Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Minister Peters said R51 billion will be spent on commuter rail infrastructure and new rolling stock over the next three years;
A further R14 billion will be channelled towards bus subsidies in the 2014/15 financial year to encourage a shift from private cars to public transport and reduce road congestion.
A total of R9.3 billion will be spent during the 2014/15 financial year, and a further R9.9 billion in the 2015/16 financial year to upgrade the ageing road infrastructure to ensure quality and safer roads.
“…The National Development Plan (NDP) diagnostic report states that the commuter rail fleet needs to be renewed.
“It provides the lowest cost service in metropolitan areas and is safer than cars,” she said.
The Minister said such investments were crucial for public transport as it would assist in shifting commuters from road to rail, and therefore reducing congestion on the roads, seen as one of the causes of road accidents.
The National Household Transport Survey 2013 shows that the percentage of car ownership has risen from 22.9% in 2003 to 32.6% in 2013.
Social media contributes to safer roads
The Minister also said various Information Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives have contributed to reducing road congestion and promoting safer mobility on the roads.
This, she said, was through the introduction of mobile applications and communicating road incidents on social media platforms such as Twitter, which has guided motorists to using safer or alternative routes to avoid road incidents.
“For instance, the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has deployed the Freeway Management System in three large metros.
“The system enables monitoring and communication of real-time traffic condition.
“It allows for the early detection of road incidents and subsequent deployment of emergency services.
“It empowers drivers to anticipate road incidents and avoid congestion,” she said.
Minister Peters also said an hourly traffic update by SABC radio channel SAfm played an important role in reducing congestion and hence promoting the safety of drivers.
Road safety operations yield positive results
The Minister said road safety operations have led to several actions taken by enforcement officials, which includes:
- About 1.3 million vehicles being verified for compliance against safety rules;
- Some 3.9 million notices of road traffic offenses being issued;
- A total of 42 116 traffic offenders were arrested;
- Vehicles that were impounded amounted to 28 767; and
- A further 38 626 vehicles were removed from the roads due to unworthiness.
– SAnews.gov.za
