How will we treat our 2010 visitors on the roads?
On my return from Johannesburg and several road safety related meetings, I was pleasantly surprised with a rather interesting email from my brother. I was forwarded an email titled “Another positive article on South Africa”. This letter captured the thoughts of John Mauldin, one of the US’s top investment advisors after a recent visit to South Africa.
Mauldin referred to “Finding Value in South Africa” in mentioning several positives which he experienced during his visit. I would like to quote one small paragraph:
“ Johannesburg is a world-class city, on a par with New York or London or any major city in terms of facilities, shops, infrastructure… and traffic. There were new shopping malls all over, and the stores were busy. The restaurants were excellent. The hotels I stayed in and spoke at were excellent and modern. The Sandton area is particularly pleasant.”
Having just spent 4 days at the luxurious Balalaika Hotel in Sandton, I also had time to observe some South African hospitality. The Protea Hotel Prokard allowed me to stay at affordable rates at this hotel and even eat like a king [with a sizable discount] at the Bull Run restaurant adjacent to the hotel. [ A friendly gentlemen named Michael did his best in accommodating us when we had to extend our stay with another night] I was amazed to find how much is done to accommodate our international visitors and how comfortable they are in our restaurants, lounge areas etc. Late at night several neatly dressed pilots and air hostesses booked in at the hotel from airlines across Europe and Asia.
Having been involved with road safety efforts for the past 5 years, I could not help but consider how we treat our visitors outside of the hotels and shopping malls. Are we also making them feel welcome on the road in their rental cars or are we cutting them off in the traffic, making rude gestures etc?
Perhaps the biggest requirement for increased road safety in South Africa is the need for an attitude change. This is a need for all road users to respect and obey the Rules of the Road and to come to an understanding that road safety is a team activity.
As we approach 2010 more attention will be focused on transport and infrastructure and efforts to accommodate our foreign visitors. Visitors to the Arrive Alive Road Safety website will be updated on these efforts in sections of content such as “ Road Safety towards 2010”. All these efforts will contribute towards impressing our visitors – now we need to have the right attitude on the roads as well!!!
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