Road deaths need 'radical' solution

[rpm]

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda on Sunday vowed “something radical” would be done to prevent road deaths in the province.

“Indeed, road accidents are destroying our nation and something radical needs to be done to turn the situation around,” he told hundreds of mourners at the funeral service of seven people killed in an accident on the N2 in Mkhuze last week.

A bakkie collided with a truck on the N2 Baobab intersection last Sunday.

“Today we are here to witness another painful episode where our beloved family members have been killed on the road. These are innocent souls, who did not commit any wrong,” said Kaunda.

The KwaZulu-Natal transport department would work day and night to ensure all road users were safe, he said, calling on law*enforcement agencies to be extra vigilant on the road and to resist the temptation to accept bribes from motorists who broke the law.

“We want traffic officers with high morals and who observe the highest level of discipline in discharging their work,” Kaunda said.

News24 - http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/road-deaths-need-radical-solution-kzn-mec-20160703

 

[sand_man]

Start by stopping fraud and corruption at the licensing department...

 

[access]

sort out the railway to help get all the trucks off the road

it would alleviate traffic and reduce road maintenance

 

[Voicy]

Unfortunately no matter what you impose, corruption and mismanagement will get in the way.

The changes that are needed, but won't get enforced due to corruption imho are:

• Transport longhaul goods on the railway
• Roadworthy checks every 4 years, not just when changing ownership
• Complete drivers licensing overhaul to stamp out corruption and to test competency
• Average speed cameras to reduce speeding
• 0% alcohol allowance for drivers
• License demerit system
• Higher fines for speeding and dangerous overtaking

It's a pipe dream. SA's attitude to obeying the rules stretches from the taxis to the rich speedsters and soccer moms who skip 4-way stops. In short, the carnage won't stop.

 

[Former member 61586]

I think we need more speed enforcement lol.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Roadworthy checks every few years would make a radical difference.

And a hard stance on it if not roadworthy. A fine means nothing.

 

[Hemi300c]

Don't speak about it do it its your job d@@s

 

[access]

inattentive driving enforcement

yeah the regular road worthy checks would go a long way.

also a brush up on road rules and driving ability somehow.

 

[Nanfeishen]

also a brush up on road rules and driving ability somehow.

A Minimum 5 years after initial drivers licence before a licence for commercial passenger/or a transport vehicle may be obtained will be a good start.

 

[HavocXphere]

Like roadworthy vehicles and licensed drivers? That kind of radical solution?

 

[Solarion]

Like roadworthy vehicles and licensed drivers? That kind of radical solution?

+1

The radical solution is already there. It's the implementation they seem to be having a problem with.

 

[konfab]

Work with insurance companies with driver competency tests.

So get a simulator, and put drivers through a bunch of tests that indicate ability.

If they pass and drive safely, they get a reduction in premiums.

 

[duderoo]

Driving up to Hermanus on Satursday late afternoon, and a bakkie overtaking on a solid white line. And now we wonder why there are deaths on the road.

 

[Cray]

Driving up to Hermanus on Satursday late afternoon, and a bakkie overtaking on a solid white line. And now we wonder why there are deaths on the road.

This, the number of people that I see overtaking in seriously dangerous places, all to save a few minutes time..so reckless.

 

[R13...]

This, the number of people that I see overtaking in seriously dangerous places, all to save a few minutes time..so reckless.

Agree, most of the issues are attitude related. SA drivers are angry and impatient - if that can somehow be sorted out we'd cut accidents (and deaths) down by a huge margin.

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Enforce current laws before implementing new ones.

Try to change driving culture.

 

[Cray]

Agree, most of the issues are attitude related. SA drivers are angry and impatient - if that can somehow be sorted out we'd cut accidents (and deaths) down by a huge margin.

Yup, for some reason a lot of SA drivers are crazy aggressive with no patience. I did a long car trip with a friend (9 hours to East London), crazy impatient and doing some seriously crazy stuff on those narrow Transkei roads. It's not often I get nervous as a passenger but that...:wtf: all to arrive maybe 20-30 minutes sooner. Boggles the mind especially as he was only ever like that behind the wheel.

 

[koeksGHT]

Subsidize my Tesla?

 

[Spliffcat]

Remove brains insert pumpkin pips and we will have better drivers.

 

[konfab]

Agree, most of the issues are attitude related. SA drivers are angry and impatient - if that can somehow be sorted out we'd cut accidents (and deaths) down by a huge margin.

Lock everyone's radio onto classic FM.