Community activism required for road safety

Road Safety authorities and non-government organizations across the world do their best to design and implement road safety strategies. All of this contributes towards road safety but will not be successful if there is not a “buy –in” from the community. Road accidents have become one of the biggest causes of death amongst the younger generation and it is still amongst this group that we find the feeling of “invincibility” - and a reluctance to adhere to the requests for seat belt wearing, sober driving etc.

It is with joy and appreciation when road safety enthusiasts find that others are adhering to the request for road safety. Earlier this week the Arrive Alive Road Safety website received a letter of appeal from the Rustenburg Community for greater attention to road safety on the N4. I would like to quote a section from this letter:

“ It was with a sense of camaraderie that I went onto your website, keen to find out more about Arrive Alive. Congratulations, the concept is brilliant and for me, and I commend you on your initiative. It is wonderful to know there are people out there who care. It certainly fuelled me to continue with my plight!…. Would you mind taking some time to look through my attached appeal and to understand the history and nature of the appeal? I would really value some information on the accident incident data on this stretch of road, if only to confirm that it is not acceptable. We are a small community that has been hit hard in losing loved ones and broken family units and we are unanimously left feeling really helpless, knowing there is little or no promise of a safer network. Many of us are faced with the prospect of transporting our children for the next 5 years along this highway. Just last night traveling back from dropping my son off for a school tournament I was witness to yet another fatality: 4 people killed with another head-on-collision. Suffice to say you quietly thank God that your offspring are nowhere near you on that highway.

I am an ‘appy’ in these matters; but a determined one. Would you be kind enough to advise me as to how I can use your wonderful product to enhance our plight to clean up the Bakwena N4? I know we are small in the big picture of Road Saftey, but I do believe it begins at home and with a responsible community, much can be achieved to keep our families alive on the roads,

Please find below and attached draft of appeal from the Rustenburg community. I know it has a long way to go, but would welcome any input…”

Community activism can contribute significantly towards enhancing awareness of road safety. It is however also required that this is not a one-way communication – but rather a two way effort to respond and address the issues raised!

May we all contribute towards addressing road safety and save lives on the road!