Prevent deaths on our roads

THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) is appealing to all South African road users to reflect on the seriousness of the physical, emotional, financial and mental effects of car crashes this Easter.

In a pre-Easter statement, the fund’s media unit said statistics from the Road Traffic Management Corporation indicated that 332 people died over the Easter weekend last year. Pedestrian deaths were the highest, followed by those of passengers, drivers and cyclists.

Weekly, the fund sends out its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who die due to car crashes and appeals regularly to road users to #AlwaysRemember that road safety is a shared responsibility for all.

Human factors remain the biggest cause of most road accidents.

In the 2017/2018 financial year, 271 933 new claims were registered with the fund and 203 493 where finalised.

This is an increase of 35% in the number of newly registered claims and an indication that some South African road users disregard the call to contribute towards improving the economy and bettering their lives, including that of their communities.

As the caring arm of the government, we appeal to all road users to collaborate with us in addressing the road accident scourge.

Let us discuss road safety with our loved ones and spread the word about the social and economic impact of road accidents.

Efforts of this nature will renew road safety consciousness and contribute towards fewer car crashes and fatalities.

It is time to unite as a nation and confront the emotional, financial, psychological and physical cost of road accidents. Car crashes destroy families, including the hopes and dreams of many.

Let us think about this while respecting the road.

For more information about the fund, visit the website on www.raf. co.za. |