A fleet of 60 patrol vehicles, representing the biggest single private sector investment in road safety, was presented by OUTsurance at the launch of the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the 'Arrive Alive' safety programme by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.
The vehicles will bolster visible policing, bringing the Patrol Car project to a total of 120 vehicles, which will be handed over to provincial traffic authorities for deployment in hazardous locations around the country.
The estimated cost of traffic accidents to individuals, commerce, communities and the country is in the region of R38 billion annually, and the patrol vehicles from OUTsurance will play a significant role in efforts by the law enforcement agencies to reduce road carnage.
More such partnerships with private partners are needed to help decrease the rate of accidents on our roads, especially those due to speeding and drinking and driving. According to figures released by the Medical Research Council, 58 % of all drivers and 61% of pedestrians killed in road accidents tested positive for alcohol.
During 2004, 1932 fatal crashes occurred as a direct result of drinking and driving, claiming the lives of 2333 persons at a cost of nearly R1.62 billion. The number of fatalities directly resulting from speed increased by 1326 from 2857 in 2003 to 4183 in 2004, with the cost of speed-related crashes in 2004 reaching R2.9 billion.
