National Road Safety Strategy gets green light
Cabinet has approved a new road safety strategy aimed at drastically reducing deaths 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 100000 people in 2014, when the global average was 17.4 fatalities per 100 000 people. – SAnews.gov.za
New scheme to replace RAF
Cabinet has 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
Transport commits to improving South Africans’ lives
The Department of Transport says it will dedicate its programmes towards the upliftment of South Africans. “Our people yearned for better infrastructure, particularly road and public transport infrastructure, which is the backbone of economic development towards total emancipation of any community,” said newly appointed Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi.
The Minister was addressing a media briefing, in Pretoria recently, where he outlined his immediate programme of action on key transport strategic areas.
“The message we want to send out is that: we are ready, willing and able to make a difference in the lives of our people.
“Guided by the National Development Plan 2030, we are continuing to build a South Africa that must be free from poverty, inequality and unemployment,” Maswanganyi said.
Transnet launches first train
Transnet has officially launched the first train designed, engineered and manufactured by the parastatal. The locomotive, which will serve the African continent, is specifically customised to African conditions and is suitable for use on branch lines and in shunting yards.
Speaking in Pretoria during the launch of the Trans Africa Locomotive, President Jacob Zuma said the completion of the locomotive is a significant technological achievement by Transnet and the country.
“We appreciate Transnet’s drive to become the leading provider of logistics services in sub-Saharan Africa. We must continue working hard to develop infrastructure that promotes trade among African countries and which make it easier for us to visit one another and also boost economic growth and development.
“The Trans-African Locomotive project has provided an opportunity for Transnet to grow and diversify its business,” he said.
According to the President, the locomotive is also the perfect fit for most of the main lines in the SADC region, where infrastructure prevents the use of heavier locomotives which are more difficult to manoeuvre.
Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, said they were very proud of the Trans African locomotive, adding that it is the first born and bred African locomotive.
“Those of us at the shareholder ministry, together with the Transnet board and Transnet management are continually considering new initiatives and innovations to reshape the core of the Transnet business,” the Minister said.
Transnet designed the original underframe, superstructure, bogies, body and locomotive control system to withstand the African environment and it’s needs-specific to the continent. – SAnews.gov.za
