Pretoria - Cabinet has approved a new road safety strategy aimed at drastically reducing carnage on South African roads.
Known as the National Road Safety Strategy 2016-2030, the document embodies the principles of the Safe Systems approach and gives effect to the five pillars of the UN Decade of Action.
These pillars are Road Safety Management, Safer Roads and Mobility, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users and Post-Crash Response.
In a statement issued after its regular fortnightly meeting, Cabinet said the new strategy will address the challenges and gaps identified by the Department of Transport on the implementation of previous strategies, including the 2006 National Road Safety Strategy.
This strategy, Cabinet said, contributes to the attainment of the National Development Plan goal of reducing injuries, accidents and violence by 50% from 2010 levels.
“It also responds to the need to create an efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network to ensure safe and secure road infrastructure.
“Road crashes have a dire consequence on families and communities, as they result in a loss of life and place an increased burden on the social security and welfare system,” Cabinet said.
According to the department of transport, South Africa recorded the highest road death rate of 23.5 per 100 000 people in 2014, when the global average was 17.4 fatalities per 100 000 people.
New scheme to replace RAF
Cabinet further approved the introduction of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill 2017, into Parliament.
The Bill provides for a social security scheme for victims of road accidents by making provision for a new motor vehicle accident benefit scheme called the Road Accident Benefit Scheme, replacing the current Road Accident Fund. – SAnews.gov.za
