Govt inaction contributes to carnage
2010-09-02 20:09
Johannesburg – Government's failure to implement transport policies, aimed at controlling bad driving habits, is a major contributor to heavy-vehicle road accidents, The South African Road Federation (Sarf) said on Thursday.
"Government's reluctance and failure to implement its laws and policies means that unscrupulous operators and bad driving continue to wreak havoc on our roads, as witnessed by the numerous accidents caused by heavy vehicles," said Sarf president, Mutshutshu Nxumalo.
He attributed the high incidence of heavy vehicle accidents to Government's failure to implement a simplified Road Transport Quality System (RTQS).
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation in 2009 there were 117 403 light vehicles and 54 296 heavy vehicles found to be un-roadworthy or unlicensed.
He quoted a 1996 white paper on transport policy which stated that "a simplified road transport quality system will be fully enunciated and implemented as a matter of urgency".
He also referred to a white paper preceding this which highlighted Government's intention to introduce a road freight quality system (RFQS) 'to ensure the protection of public safety".
Deplorable delivery
"While Government's intentions might well be admirable, its delivery is deplorable.
"The RFQS was never implemented despite the considerable growth of road freight during the years that followed.
He said the main reason for Government's "lack of commitment" to its policies was the opposition of the road freight industry.
Nxumalo explained that 83% of road accidents are caused by human error and this could be curbed by enforcement of proper transport policies.
"Heavy vehicles almost invariably exceed the speed limit of 80km/h, (there is) gross overloading, and loads which are not properly secured.
"Other (errors) include drivers being behind the wheel for up 16 hours at a stretch, the use of drugs to stay awake and poorly maintained vehicles."
- SAPA