President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a transformative plan to cut road deaths by 2030, emphasising the need for tailored infrastructure design and collaborative efforts in enhancing road safety across the nation.
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In a bold move signalling a commitment to road safety, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the government's ambitious plan to cut road deaths in South Africa by half before the year 2030. With a staggering 12,000 lives lost on the country’s roads each year, this goal is not only commendable but crucial. However, says Roelof van den Berg, Chief Executive Officer of Gap Infrastructure Group (GIC), achieving this target presents a daunting challenge, requiring concerted efforts across various sectors, including law enforcement, education, and most importantly, infrastructure enhancement.
The importance of infrastructure in the quest for road safety cannot be overstated, says Van den Berg. It extends beyond mere compliance with traffic laws and encompasses the very environments through which people travel. With human error identified as the leading cause of accidents, the way roads are designed can significantly determine whether a misstep results in a minor scare or a tragic fatality. As such, infrastructure improvements play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives, reflecting the principles of the Safe System approach that underpins South Africa’s National Road Safety Strategy.
One of the first adjustments crucial for achieving this target lies in recognising the need for road design tailored to local contexts, rather than relying on generic solutions. Van den Berg says South Africa's road safety landscape starkly contrasts with developed nations such as the United States, where road-user demographics differ significantly. While pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists comprise nearly a third of US road deaths, in sub-Saharan Africa, they account for over half. This reality calls for infrastructure that addresses the unique risk factors present in South Africa.
In many South African urban settings, pedestrians share space with vehicles on high-speed routes, riskily navigating busy streets often dominated by minibus taxis, buses, and freight vehicles. Traditional road designs that favour cars can lead to increased accidents and vulnerabilities for more disadvantaged road users. Therefore, incorporating features such as well-marked crossings along high-traffic routes, safe pavements, pedestrian refuges, and median islands can enhance safety significantly.
Another critical consideration is speed, which is a significant factor in accident severity, says Van den Berg. While often dismissed as a matter of driver behaviour, speed can also be directly influenced by the physical characteristics of the road. Roads featuring wide lanes or long, straight sightlines tend to prompt dangerous speeding behaviours. By contrast, narrowing lanes and adding visual cues such as trees and reflective signage can encourage slower speeds.
Taking a proactive approach to traffic calming during the design phase can yield immense benefits. In densely populated urban areas, adjustments like altering lane widths, introducing raised pedestrian crossings, and replacing high-speed intersections with roundabouts can drastically improve safety. However, careful planning is essential; for example, widening shoulders to reduce congestion can inadvertently allow for higher speeds, creating hazards for vulnerable road users.
Simple yet effective interventions such as clear road markings, high-visibility signage, and adequate lighting during low-light conditions can profoundly enhance driver awareness and promote safer road usage. Furthermore, consistent maintenance focusing on surface quality and drainage is essential. Properly designed stormwater systems can mitigate water accumulation, minimising road deterioration — a crucial consideration given that studies indicate sustained infrastructure maintenance alone could reduce road deaths by approximately 5% annually.
Roelof van den Berg, Chief Executive Officer of Gap Infrastructure Group (GIC)
Image: Supplied
Achieving the ambitious target set forth by the government calls for a shared responsibility across multiple sectors, says Van den Berg. While the government plays a leading role in establishing policies, enforcing laws, and promoting public awareness, private sector developers also have a crucial role in translating these directives into safe and functional road environments.
Infrastructure developers like the Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC) are instrumental in embedding safety considerations from the project planning phase through stakeholder engagement and collaboration with public sector partners. Each decision regarding layout, materials, and visibility can transform ordinary road spaces into secure corridors that cater to every user's needs, from pedestrians to vehicles.
As South Africa embarks on this path towards reducing road fatalities, it is imperative that all elements — law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, infrastructure development, and government leadership — operate in unison. Such integrated efforts will cultivate a road network capable of enhancing mobility and economic activity while prioritising the safety of all who rely on it daily, Van den Berg said.