The document discusses reducing road deaths as a national priority in South Africa. It notes that over 15,000 people die in vehicle crashes annually in South Africa, and crashes cost the country between 3-9 billion annually. It also discusses various initiatives to improve road safety, including enforcement campaigns, road safety audits, and deploying intelligent transportation systems. However, more still needs to be done to reduce crashes through improved technologies, policies, and investments in road safety. The goal should be making driving as safe as flying a plane.

1. Reducing Road Deaths as a
National Priority
C J Tolmie
N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

2. The Facts
Crashes
Globally 1.3 million people die in vehicle crashes per annum.
(Source: IRF)
In South Africa the number is 15 000 people per annum.
(Source: RTMC)
90% of the deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
One in four hospital beds are occupied by road accident victims.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) views traffic injuries as
the 9th most critical health problem.
The WHO predicts that by 2020 it will be ranked third.
Globally around 20 to 50 million people are injured per annum.
(Source: IRF)
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

3. The Facts
Economic Consequences
Estimated cost : 1% to 3% of GNP (Source: IRF)
Global GNP : $75-trillion
therefore between $750-billion and $2.5-trillion
South Africa’s GNP : $304-billion
therefore between $3.0-billion and $9-billion
Something needs to be done!!!
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

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5. Comparison: Fatality Rates
Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Travelled
20
18
18
16
14
12
12
10
8
6
4
2 1.47 1.21
0.52
0
U.S. U.S. All Rural U.S. Toll Roads RSA General RSA Toll
Interstate Concessions
Ref Tollways Winter 2008
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6. Probable Cause of Vehicle Crashes
0% 4%
3%
4%
6%
Human
Vehicle
Object on Road
18%
Pedestrian
Animal
65% Roadworks
Weather
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7. Driver Wellness Statistics
N3 Toll Route
In 2011, a total of 699 drivers were tested:
 Blood pressure (699 tested) : 23% needed treatment
 Glucose (681 tested) : 13% above the norm
 TB (418 tested) : 4% referred for further testing
 Eyesight (313 tested) : 7% needed spectacles and other
interventions
 Cholesterol (279 tested) : 18% had high cholesterol
 VCT (337 tested) : 17% tested positive
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9. Brake and Tyre Watch
In Partnership with:
Location Inspected Discontinued %
Midway KZN 26 10 38%
Pietermaritzburg 12 11 92%
Estcourt 24 20 84%
TOTAL 62 41 66%
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

10. So, What are we doing?
National Initiatives
 Not doing enough!
 Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act
(AARTO).
 Arrive Alive.
 Supporting the United Nations Decade of Action for Road
Safety.
 IRAP International Road Assessment Program.
 SANRAL deploying various ITS solutions.
 Various Enforcement Initiatives.
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

11. So, What are we doing?
The Concessionaires
 We Care!
 Measure and analyse crash data monthly.
 Deploy ITS – albeit limited solutions at this stage.
 Various Initiatives include:
 24/7 Route Patrol Service and Route Control Centre;
 Road Safety Audits;
 Training of Law Enforcement Agencies;
 CSIR Human Behavioural Study; and
 Dedicated road safety campaigns.
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

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13. The Role of Technology in
Reducing Road Deaths
 ITS must, inter alia:
 Promote smart and safe travel;
 Be affordable;
 Be reliable; and
 Provide real time information.
 We need to develop smart :-
 Vehicles The smart car – e.g. collision avoidance technology;
 Roads Smart Highway Concept – information exchange; and
 Drivers Auto Pilot??
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14. Conclusion
 So how do we reduce road deaths as a national priority?
 There needs to be a balance between Technology and Restrictive
Policies?
 Develop the business model to invest in road safety!
 We need to sell the benefits!
 We need ITS to be part of the solution.
 Just imagine the celebration if we can proclaim:
“It is now as safe to drive a car as to fly a plane!”
 What an ITS challenge?
 Be Safe; Smart; and Sustainable.
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)