Safekids World Wide Injury Prevention Conference

Date: Thursday, 20 June 2013

SOUTH AFRICAN SAFETY CULTURE IN CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

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CONTENTS

•BACKGROUND

•THE CURRENT STATUS

•LEGISLATION

•THE PROBLEM

•THE SOLUTION

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SOUTH AFRICA – THE DYNAMICS

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKLead Agency Funded in national budget

Road Traffic Management Corporation

Yes

National road safety strategy Measurable targets Funded

Under ReviewDeveloped

Yes

Population: 51.8 million

Income Group: Middle

Gross national income per capita: R2 751

Mortality rate: 28/100 000 pn

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

RTMC ACT Yes

NRTA-seatbelt legislation

Yes, but does not enforce use of child restraint

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SOUTH AFRICA-THE DYNAMICS

SA a fledging democracy with unique challenges-socio-economic Multi-cultural, multi-religious society

Eleven official languages

Varying levels of literacy

Poorly developed public transport,Scholar transport infrastructureMajority transported in informal public transport over long distances80% of population rely on public transportMajority walk lonf distances to school

oCrossing major/arterial routes

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CURRENT STATUS

•More than 12 000 fatalities p/a

•Cost of road injuries/fatalities is approx R306 billion p/a

•Very few awareness programmes on CPS

•Long journeys/peak traffic season: roughly 65% of front seat

less than 2% of rear passengers

•Stats for shorter, local journeys even more dismal. Most fatal crashes happen 40km from home

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CURRENT STATUS

Affluent and literate families most likely to use child

restraints

Less affluent mainly use informal public transport in the

form of minibus taxis and pick-up trucks which are likely

are likely to be overloaded

Child restraints ranges between R500-R3000

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LEGISLATION

NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 93 of 1996•The seatbelt legislation under regulation 213-

• An adult is a person over the age of 14 years or taller than 1.5m and • A child is a person between the age of 3 years and 14 years, except if taller than 1.5m

`no legal requirement for child > 3yrs to wear child restraint

The driver of a motor vehicle shall ensure that a child uses an appropriate child restraint; or wears the seatbelt if an unoccupied seat which is fitted with a seatbelt is available.

BUTWHERE THERE IS NO SEAT WITH A SEATBELT,THE DRIVER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE CHILD IS SEATED ON THE REAR SEAT, (IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A REAR SEAT!! )

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THE PROBLEM?

Traffic mix does not allow for usage of child restraints`Little or no enforcement of correct seating position and use of child restraints(2/10)`Law enforcers not examplary`ambuiguity about enforcement of safety measures`very few awareness programmes

Non compliance to rules and regulations`inadequate restraint laws for children`not necessary for short distance mentality`wont get a ticket-will bribe`age appropriate child restraint not used

Lack of examplary behaviour by parents`Adults don’t buckle up`poor adherence to basic safety measures

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THE PROBLEM?

Personal choice not to use child restraints`child seats too much of a hassle`indifference of drivers to ensure the safety of passengers`children don’t like restraints

“Act of love”`children on parents laps`children on the drivers laps`children assisting with driving

Socio-economic situation`High unemployment rate and poverty

`Usage of public transport to travel`Large families- therefore not practical to use child restraints

`Bakkies-Vans used as passenger transport esp-rural areas

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THE SOLUTION

Integrated

approach

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Contact details of presenter:Ms Mampe KumaloA/Executive Manager: Road Safety Education and CampaignsRoad Traffic Management CorporationSouth Africa(+27) 071 485 4784(+27) 012 999 5313