ActionSA is deeply disappointed to witness the persistent rise in fatalities on South African roads. The annual festive season commute, which should be a time of celebration for thousands of South Africans, often ends in tragedy.
It is unacceptable that the Ministry of Transport has once again failed to implement proactive measures to enhance road safety. The increased volume of commuters during the festive season, particularly on key routes in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Western Cape, is not a new phenomenon. Yet, year after year, the Ministry appears unprepared to address the dangers of our overcrowded and deteriorating road infrastructure.
The so-called “Road Safety Month” has proven to be a failure, with fatalities continuing to rise 5.3% year on year. If the goal is to ensure the safety of our road users, such initiatives cannot be reduced to a one-month box-ticking exercise. Road safety must be a year-round campaign, backed by robust action and measurable outcomes, not an end-of-year pat on the back.
The root of the problem lies in our broken transport system, which lacks affordable and reliable alternatives. In October, I raised a question to the Minister about the status of the long-distance Shosholoza Meyl train services, a critical mode of transport for many South Africans during the holiday season. The response was predictably vague, reflecting an alarming lack of urgency or care. With no viable alternatives, thousands of commuters are forced onto overcrowded and increasingly unsafe roads. The outcomes of this uninterested approach are predictable.
Furthermore the StatsSA’s September 2024 land transport report reveals a staggering 25.6% year-on-year decline in freight rail volumes. This has led to the proliferation of massive freight trucks which exacerbate road damage and increases the risk of accidents.
Compounding this issue is the abandonment of key infrastructure upgrades across the country, such as the Kidd’s Beach Interchange, which remains incomplete and poses significant safety risks. These glaring failures exacerbate the chaos on our roads, creating dangerous driving conditions that inevitably lead to more lives lost.
ActionSA demands immediate action from the Ministry of Transport so that by the time the Easter Weekend Statement arrives significant progress has been made, priorities must include:
1. Completing abandoned infrastructure projects to improve road safety.
2. Prioritising the improvement of arterial road routes.
3. Reviving and expanding rail based public transport alternatives like the Shosholoza Meyl.
4. Implementing a robust, year-long road safety campaign with clear goals and accountability mechanisms.
The carnage on our roads is neither inevitable nor acceptable. It is the result of policy failures, neglected infrastructure, and poor leadership. South Africans deserve a transport system that prioritizes their safety and serves their needs. It is time for a Minister of Transport who takes responsibility and delivers results.
Continuing Carnage on South African Roads Shows a Department of Transport Unwilling to Take Accountability
ActionSA is deeply disappointed to witness the persistent rise in fatalities on South African roads. The annual festive season commute, which should be a time of celebration for thousands of South Africans, often ends in tragedy.
It is unacceptable that the Ministry of Transport has once again failed to implement proactive measures to enhance road safety. The increased volume of commuters during the festive season, particularly on key routes in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Western Cape, is not a new phenomenon. Yet, year after year, the Ministry appears unprepared to address the dangers of our overcrowded and deteriorating road infrastructure.
The so-called “Road Safety Month” has proven to be a failure, with fatalities continuing to rise 5.3% year on year. If the goal is to ensure the safety of our road users, such initiatives cannot be reduced to a one-month box-ticking exercise. Road safety must be a year-round campaign, backed by robust action and measurable outcomes, not an end-of-year pat on the back.
The root of the problem lies in our broken transport system, which lacks affordable and reliable alternatives. In October, I raised a question to the Minister about the status of the long-distance Shosholoza Meyl train services, a critical mode of transport for many South Africans during the holiday season. The response was predictably vague, reflecting an alarming lack of urgency or care. With no viable alternatives, thousands of commuters are forced onto overcrowded and increasingly unsafe roads. The outcomes of this uninterested approach are predictable.
Furthermore the StatsSA’s September 2024 land transport report reveals a staggering 25.6% year-on-year decline in freight rail volumes. This has led to the proliferation of massive freight trucks which exacerbate road damage and increases the risk of accidents.
Compounding this issue is the abandonment of key infrastructure upgrades across the country, such as the Kidd’s Beach Interchange, which remains incomplete and poses significant safety risks. These glaring failures exacerbate the chaos on our roads, creating dangerous driving conditions that inevitably lead to more lives lost.
ActionSA demands immediate action from the Ministry of Transport so that by the time the Easter Weekend Statement arrives significant progress has been made, priorities must include:
1. Completing abandoned infrastructure projects to improve road safety.
2. Prioritising the improvement of arterial road routes.
3. Reviving and expanding rail based public transport alternatives like the Shosholoza Meyl.
4. Implementing a robust, year-long road safety campaign with clear goals and accountability mechanisms.
The carnage on our roads is neither inevitable nor acceptable. It is the result of policy failures, neglected infrastructure, and poor leadership. South Africans deserve a transport system that prioritizes their safety and serves their needs. It is time for a Minister of Transport who takes responsibility and delivers results.