Accidents to top child deaths

Johannesburg - Road accidents will be the number one killer of children between 5 and 15 years in Africa by 2015, Gauteng transport MEC Bheki Nkosi said on Tuesday.

Highlighting the urgency of beefing up road safety on the continent, Nkosi said this figure would outstrip deaths caused by malaria and the HIV/Aids pandemic.

"According to statistical projections, Africa's road deaths stand at over 200 000 fatalities each year, and the figure is predicted to rise by 80% by year 2020, unless something drastic is done," he said.

Nkosi was addressing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) indaba on cross border road transport at Nasrec.

He said the responsibility to ensure safety on African roads lies not only with governments, but with all road users including pedestrians and passengers.

Many challenges

"South Africa still has many challenges in terms of the road safety record. As we are due to enter into the festive season in the coming two months, we stand at the precipice of facing challenges of safety on our roads," Nkosi said.

He said that while the statistics had "marginally" improved in the past month they remained a cause of concern for the government.

The indaba was hosted by the Cross Border Road Transport Agency and aimed to tackle cross border transport ahead of the Fifa World Cup next year.

Delivering the keynote address Nkosi asked delegates, including SADC representatives, what needed to be done to ease cross border movement of spectators during the World Cup.

He said South Africa was proud of its track record in hosting successful international events in the past, and was pleased with its progress in preparing for the soccer spectacular.

On the final day of the three-day indaba, delegates will discuss the World Cup and transport plans for the region during the event.

These will include South African border co-ordination, freight movement, road traffic law enforcement and the role of the cross border agency in preparing for the World Cup.

Source: South African Press Association, Tuesday, 13 October 2009