South Africa launches the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety: A milestone in reducing road fatalities

In an effort to support South Africa in its fight against rising road fatalities, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, launched the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety at a function held in Johannesburg and attended Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister of Transport. 

The initiative, funded by Discovery Insure and JC Decaux, sought to alleviate the growing number of traffic deaths, was part of the larger UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which aims "to prevent 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6: halving the number of global deaths and injuries due to road traffic accidents."

Among the activities organized as part of the launch, the Special Envoy participated in a road traffic police pass-out march, demonstrating their commitment to uphold traffic safety regulations while  representing fresh efforts to address enforcement rules. 

Another notable event was the TotalEnergies Helmet4Life campaign. The campaign highlighted the significance of wearing helmets, especially for Uber Eats delivery drivers, who are among the most vulnerable road users. The aim is to drastically reduce the number of brain injuries and fatalities caused by car accidents by promoting the use of helmets.

The Special Envoy also participated in yet another road safety campaign with young children on a school-based road safety programme at Dr. Mathole Motshekga Primary School in Johannesburge. His interaction with the children demonstrated how crucial education is in instilling a culture of road safety among youngsters. 

As the visit came to an end, the chief executive officers from key agencies of the Department of Transport, which included the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Road Traffic Infringement Agency, Road Accident Fund, South African National Roads Agency Limited, and the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, took part in a media breakfast discussion. This gathering sparked a vigorous exchanges on road safety techniques needed to fulfil the campaign's objectives. 

The most recent and visible result of the programme is the installation of billboards advocating road safety in South Africa’s major urban areas. These billboards, strategically positioned in high-risk areas, serve as a reminder of the significance of road safety. They emphasize the notion that every road user can help reduce traffic accidents and fatalities.

The road safety campaign has already made significant strides in increasing awareness and establishing a united front to address road safety. The engagement of many stakeholders, such as government agencies, the private sector and educational institutions, demonstrates the campaign's broad and inclusive approach. By using the capabilities and resources of these various groups, the campaign aims to make South African roads safer for everybody. 

The Global Campaign for Road Safety is a significant, collaborative effort to solve one of South Africa's most pressing public safety concerns. It is ideally positioned to achieve major and long-term improvements in road safety. The careful placement of billboards in high-risk areas around the country demonstrates the campaign's commitment to make a meaningful impact on people by saving lives, which aligns with the UN's ambitious aim of drastically decreasing road traffic injuries and fatalities by 2030.