ACCORDING to World Health Organisation 2015 stats, South Africa ranks 143rd in the world for road traffic fatalities. Now the South African Breweries (SAB) is hoping to reduce this with the launch of a R1,7 million Road Safety and Crime prevention partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the parties, officially kicking off the alcohol harm reduction project in the region. According to RTMC 2015 stats, there was an increase of road traffic fatalities between 2013 and 2015, mainly caused by negligence of drivers not following the road traffic rules. KwaZulu-Natal has the second highest number of road traffic fatalities after Gauteng, most of which are caused by pedestrians entering the road when it is unsafe and vehicles speeding.
ALSO READ: These road safety campaigns will make you think
The major focus of the programme launch was directed on increasing traffic enforcement, which is why six enforcement officers will be hired to assist.
Ricardo Tadeu, Zone President for Africa, said this was part of SAB’s commitment to create 10 000 jobs over and above the Public Interest Commitments (PIC) agreed to with government after last year’s merger between AB InBev and SABMiller.
“Job creation is embedded in the company’s business strategy which focuses on fostering a better world where everyone has an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. The three key priorities of this strategy are job creation, promoting nutrition and health, and reducing harm caused by the misuse of alcohol,” said Tadeu.
Other interventions include installation of road traffic cameras to prevent people skipping red lights, improving road markings, maintenance and testing of robots as well as calls for the public to reduce road congestion by making more use of public transportation.
The second part of the partnership centres on community safety and reducing crime which affects businesses and the public.
A total investment for both these initiative amounts to R2, 2 million. These measures all form part of SAB’s focus to reduce harm caused by alcohol abuse.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
