Media Statement 19th October 2011 POPCRU on Transport Month POPCRU has noted the rhetoric question posed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr. Blade Nzimande on the occasion of the National Skills Authority Conference at Kempton Park, as to whether road accidents are a skills issue or not? And we contend that the nationalization of Traffic Departments, is but one of the key elements which we argue will be contributing to the ultimate solution to Road Traffic tribulations. This argument is based on sometimes disjointed and/or fragmented service delivery by these instruments of governance across all Provinces, in which uniform standards on driver training, member’s uniform conditions of service and benefits, are compromised. A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision (RTC) or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction, such as a tree or utility pole. Traffic collisions may result in injury, death and property damage The alarming factor of road accidents results in many untimely death, which has economic and social problems to the country, but most importantly to the families of victims. Certain measures are implemented to try and prevent/ reduce road accidents and resulting to lower deaths on the road. The recent reports in South Africa have a high rate of accidents where people are killed in large numbers. Road Traffic injuries also put a huge strain on National Health System, many of which suffer from woefully inadequate levels of resources. With little money for exorbitant private health costs! And such ill-treatment can always be observed as and when accidents happen, with only victims with medical aids intentionally or unintentionally prioritized for picking by many of these paramedics which, it can still to be debated! Four factors contribute to the vast majority of collisions. In ascending order they are; Equipment Failure, Roadway Design, Poor Roadway Maintenance and Driver Behavior. While putting measures in place to address these identified areas, the government is still failing to acknowledge that fragmentation of authorities, is also not helping! As a result of these fragmentations, most Provinces employed the Officers under different departments and in different acts which regulates terms and conditions of employment. This kind of practice, also regulates benefits and allowances of the officers to the detriment of the National Service Delivery. The fragmentation further weakens the enforcement of road rules where certain provinces are seen as champions in fighting road violation and other as useless. This fragmentation is also visible though the uniform that is provided to Traffic Official, where it is still based on apartheid demarcations. This is further coupled with the poor provision of resources, including human capacities [Officials]. To date, we have nine Provincial Employers of Traffic, with each Province having its Operational Strategy and jurisdiction limited to its borders and all of these employees are regarded as Non-Essential, given the current mode of operation. The importance of national coordination is only recognized during the busy seasons of the year and thereafter everything goes back to normal, which is currently failing the citizens of the country. It is indeed critical that government pays attention to the issue of Nationalizing Traffic where there will be one chain of command and control. This would further assist in ensuring that Provincial Traffic is designated as the essential service with its conditions similar to those of their counterparts. Synchronization of Traffic Departments through a Nationalized Department will go a long way in harmonizing sound quality public service, with uniform standard applied to all employees. POPCRU continues to advocate for the Nationalization of Traffic Departments as the fragmented departments is a serious disservice to the masses. For Enquiries: POPCRU General Secretary-Cde Nkosinathi Theledi 0825677803 POPCRU HOD: Collective Bargaining-Cde Simon Madini 0738501301 Issued by: Mampane Norman National Spokesperson Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union Tel: 0112424600/4615 Cell: 0720737959 Email: [email protected] www.popcru.org.za 01 Marie Road Auckland Park 2006
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