Why is a Rolling Enforcement Plan needed for road safety?
The answer is simple – to address the misconception that road safety efforts are only focused on Easter and Year-end! The “Values and Principles” of the Rolling Enforcement Plan is a good summary of how traffic enforcement will be used as one of the most important mechanisms to enhance road safety in South Africa.
The values and principles of this Plan
• The plan was compiled in consultation with representatives of the nine provincial, six metropolitan and one local authority under the advise and authority of the Road Traffic Management Co-ordinating Committee (RTMCC) to whom the Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETCOM) would report.
• This plan is informed by the “Interim Road Traffic and Fatal Crash Report for the Year 2007” and is in line with the priorities of the National Road Safety Strategy 2006. It is hoped that authorities will adapt, integrate and adopt this plan together with their individual plans in order to separate local and regional issues and harmonize with national prerogatives. Thus think locally, act globally.
• Every effort will be made to ensure that the various local authorities within the nine provinces are informed about this Rolling Enforcement Plan in order to obtain their buy-in. This will be done through interactive workshops and regular bulletins.
• The support of the various political principles at local, provincial and national levels will be sought to add clout to the programme. After ratification by the RTMCC, this plan will be submitted to the RTMC Board, COTO and the Shareholders Committee.
• Additional support of, especially, the South African Police Services and other relevant stakeholders such as Justice, Defense, Education and Health will be secured at various tiers in order to realize our objectives.
• The Road Safety Promotion/Education/Communication components at the various levels of government will be requested to identify appropriate publicity opportunities in order to support and amplify the enforcement activities.
• A Tri-Sector Partnership will be forged between government, private sector and civil society. Endorsements will be sought from the various sectors for enforcement’s planned operations. This plan will remain a transparent document as are the principles that gave birth to this plan.
• The principles of Operation Emisa, that is interpersonal, active stopping and checking a minimum of 15 vehicles per officer per eight hour shift, will be enforced by all participating authorities.
• The standard reporting formats will be used by all authorities as agreed upon by all members.
• All traffic offences will be targeted. There will be no selective enforcement at the exclusion of any other offence, but special focus will be placed on:
* Pedestrian jay walking, drink and walking and pedestrians on freeways;
* Speed inappropriate for the conditions;
* Alcohol abuse by drivers and pedestrians;
* Moving violations: unsafe overtaking, cell phones, red light infringements, reckless and negligent driving;
* Driver fitness: driver documentation and drink and drive;
* Vehicle fitness: all aspects especially lights and tyres;
* Overload control, passenger and goods;
Special Enforcement Focus:
• A special enforcement focus will be done on the wearing of seatbelts both, front and rear and would continue indefinitely so as to increase the wearing rate by 25%. This will take on an increased awareness during the three-month period 1 May to 30 August 2008 following the official launch during the Global Road Safety Week.
• The Enforcement Fraternity will support all activities in relation to Global Road Safety Week’s “Youth” focus. (23 – 29 April 2008)
• Vehicles traveling without registration plates or permits would be vigorously prosecuted.
• Special targeted alcohol enforcement exercises will be carried out by metro/local authorities especially during weekends.
• Speed measurement exercises will be targeted mainly in hazardous locations and these types of interventions will be policed smartly utilizing minimum manpower for maximum impact. These exercises will concentrate on reducing the mean speeds in hazardous locations rather than trapping motorists for funds generation.
• All efforts will be made to undertake enforcement operations along critical days, times and routes to have the greatest impact on offences and accidents. (Identified and agreed upon HAZLOCS) Annexure A.
• At all times the traffic personnel will act in a professional and ethical manner ensuring that the motorists’ support for road safety is secured.
• Roadblocks will be set up and manned in a professional manner to avoid unnecessary delays and inconveniences to the motorists.
• Management will make a concerted effort to supervise, supervise and supervise. When and where possible RTMC Senior Managers and Traffic College Staff members will also monitor and provide guidance to officers on the road.
Innovative Pilot Projects will continue to be a feature of the Rolling Enforcement Plan. The aim of which is to duplicate those successful projects elsewhere in order to energize and continuously seek sustainable road safety solutions.
All authorities who are signatories to this plan must comply with the principles and conditions included herein. Achieving of targets will be incentives and those authorities that satisfy the terms and conditions of this plan will be awarded special prizes and their efforts acknowledged accordingly with their principles, the media and the community at large.
Targets set are based on total provincial road length, number of fatal crashes in 2007, crashes per 100 000 kms road and number of registered vehicle per province and available number of traffic officers.
Visit the Arrive Alive Road Safety website for more info on the Rolling Enforcement Plan.
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