New plans to deal with high death toll on South African roads

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New plans to deal with high death toll on South African roads

The government has announced a number of new initiatives intended to address an increase in road fatalities.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I think the best thing to do is invest in more overtaking lanes on long highways. People are less likely to risk overtaking into the oncoming lane if they know they'll be able to easily pass in 1km.

Average speed law enforcement over the entire highway system is another simple measure. Why don't they do it? It's inescapable. You don't even need to have traffic officers behind bushes ... just massive high-visibility gantries like you get outside Cape Town.

You can't appeal to motorists' good sense. Treat them like children, understand and cater for their needs, and you'll make a real difference.

 

[supersunbird]

This was coupled with the fact that January saw a 75% increase in vehicle crashes and a 78% increase in fatalities compared to the same month last year.

Pedestrians accounted for the majority of fatalities, at 59% of all deaths recorded.

Yep, in line with no more lockdown and no more alcohol restrictions.

 

["D"]

they know they'll be able to easily pass in 1km

Only old people need that much, ya old hound!

 

[Foxhound5366]

Only old people need that much, ya old hound!

The death stats show otherwise. You'll find it's not old timers getting killed into oncoming traffic, but young impatient guys who should know better.

 

[supersunbird]

Only old people need that much, ya old hound!

It's not the old people taking chances cause they cannot wait and then causing head-on collisions.

 

[dualmeister]

A focused national pedestrian programme will be introduced at routes that have been identified as hazardous.

When I was like 5 years old my mom taught me how to walk over the road without getting knocked over

 

[Lupus]

Yep, in line with no more lockdown and no more alcohol restrictions.

I mean the logic is astonishingly missing from them isn't it. I mean I wonder what could be the reasons.

 

[rietrot]

There's a few things they can do, but probably won't.

Privatize transnet
Break up the taxi mafia
Remove speed limits
Visible policing of actual reckless driving.

 

[dj_jyno]

The death stats show otherwise. You'll find it's not old timers getting killed into oncoming traffic, but young impatient guys who should know better.

Because many older people can afford cars that are able to accelerate and overtake quickly. As you've mentioned, they are generally also more patient.

 

[Foxhound5366]

There's a few things they can do, but probably won't.

Privatize transnet
Break up the taxi mafia
Remove speed limits
Visible policing of actual reckless driving.

Ok wait, I'm curious to hear the logic behind the idea that removing speed limits will decrease road deaths. How does that work?

 

[3WA]

When I was like 5 years old my mom taught me how to walk over the road without getting knocked over

I'm sure that some parents are teaching their kids to walk in the middle of the road since they realised parenthood isn’t for them. They’re hoping some inattentive driver sorts out the problem.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Pedestrians accounted for the majority of fatalities, at 59% of all deaths recorded.

“Now that government is taking firm steps toward real change, RSP-SA encourages drivers to do their part. Acknowledge that there can be serious consequences and that anything can go wrong at any time. With this in mind, commit to protecting yourself and other road users,” the RSP-SA said.

This makes it sound like drivers are actively gunning for pedestrians.

Anyhow, my take on this is that it doesnt matter how many laws you enact, without enforcement its useless.

Here is a video of a traffic officer in South Africa. Blatant disregard for the laws she enforces. Speeding and blasting her siren at other cars to get them to move out of the way whilst not in an emergency. Quite visible in the video is another set of onlooking police at a speed trap that witnessed the incident and do nothing about it.

And then you have these guys.

I would like to be optimistic about the changes but .................

 

[Hemi300c]

Fvckalli blowing out useless information as usual.

The one and only way is to actually start policing and applying the current laws which are not being done by our uselessness corrupt law enforcement agencies.

Yes fvckalli it's your and the anc's fault because of greed and corruption instead of doing what you are paid to do.

Every day I see the same taxi's and vehicles on the road that are clearly unroadworthy, driving like morons and pushing the limits. I've seen them in roadblocks but the next day I see them as usual.

It's all on you fvckalli.

 

[neoprema]

As usual, it will be everyone else who pays for this in some way or another, except the culprits.

Saw another accident yesterday where Taxi tried to overtake everyone in a suburb on the oncoming lane and hit a car turning into the road from the traffic light.

But lets drop the speed limit to 20kph, that will teach those taxi drivers!