…delegates commit to collaborate on changing unsafe behaviours to protect road users, prevent accidents
Own Correspondent
Ezulwini – The Road Injury Prevention Indaba (RIPI) 2024 wrapped up with resounding success, marking a significant milestone in Eswatini’s, and the SADC region’s, quest for improved road safety measures.
The 150 delegates who attended were unanimous that they would strengthen efforts to deal with unsafe human behaviour which they identified as a major cause of road accidents. It was emphasised during the Indaba that law enforcement must strike a balance between penal measures and incentives to foster a culture change in road safety.
They agreed that road safety was a critical issue in Eswatini, with over 200 annual road accident deaths, equating to 10 per 100,000 people. The cost of fatalities and serious injuries is E8 billion (USD 414 million), or 10.8% of GDP.
The RIPI 2024 was successfully hosted by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) and brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders in the road safety value-chain, including senior executives from South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Local organisations included government representatives, the Royal Eswatini Police Service, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and the Road Safety Council of Eswatini.
The theme for the inaugural Indaba was ‘Enough is Enough’ – the central pillars of the event held between 1-2 August 2024 were ‘Understanding and Preventing Road Crashes’, and ‘Managing Personal Injuries and Legal Aspects.’ The Indaba featured engaging panel discussions, presentations by experts, and interactive question and answer sessions.
The SMVAF was established under the Motor Vehicle Accidents Act of 1991, in order to compensate victims of road accidents – who have suffered bodily injuries or loss of sup- port following the death of bread-winners without having to have recourse to third-party insurance.
Despite the importance of infrastructure and vehicle safety, it was emphasised during the RIPI 2024 that many road accidents stem from human error. Key issues such as drinking and driving, speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving were identified as primary factors in road traffic incidents.
The delegates expressed concern that it is young, economically active people that are most affected by road traffic incidents. This demographic’s high fatality, and injuries rate is detrimental to the country by significantly reducing its productive workforce, thereby impacting the economy and undermining sustainable livelihoods.
SMVAF CEO David Myeni stated: “This has not been a talk shop; the lessons learned and takeaways will be diligently implemented by SMVAF, starting today as we prepare for RIPI 2025.”
He thanked Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, and Minister of Public Works and Transport Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe for their unwavering support and commitment. He also thanked the senior executives from SMVAF’s sister Funds in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Australia (who joined virtually), for their invaluable contributions and collaboration.
“The Road Injury Prevention Indaba 2024 has been instrumental in highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to road safety. It is clear that improving road safety requires not only better infrastructure but also a concerted effort to change human behaviour and improve data-driven strategies,” said Myeni.
Some of the take aways from the RIPI 2024 included:
Strengthen collaboration:
Delegates were in agreement that road safety needed to be prioritised and tackled from a multi-stakeholder and collaborative approach, and from all fronts, in order to reduce the number of crashes, fatalities and injuries on the country’s roads. A key takeaway from the Indaba is the need for SMVAF to strengthen collaboration with partners to improve personal injury management, ensuring effective transfer from evacuation to medical facility, with a focus on trauma centres, decentralised stabilisation centres, and better equipment.
Push for success of National Road Safety Strategy:
The delegates emphasised the need to collaborate more in the implementation of Eswatini’s seven-year Road Safety Strategy, whose major goal is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries due to accidents. The main pillars of the National Road Safety Strategy are the elimination of fatal and serious injury on Eswatini’s roads by 2063; with the intermediate Goal being to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in serious injuries and fatalities by 2030.
Quality data for safer roads:
The necessity of a data-driven approach to road safety emerged as a significant theme. Accurate and comprehensive data collection is crucial for understanding road safety issues, pinpointing high-risk areas, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. The Indaba highlighted the need for improved data collection systems and better integration across different agencies and sectors.
Media to Agitate until there is change:
Myeni noted that the media plays a crucial role in advocating for change by persistently highlighting important issues until they are addressed. He noted that to be more effective in the dissemination of information on road safety, Myeni said the media needed to continue using clear, accessible messaging that resonates with a broad audience. His words were echoed by Mbongeni Mbingo, the Chairman of Eswatini Editors Forum, who said the influence of the media can galvanise public opinion, drive policy reforms, and hold authorities accountable. “By consistently and clearly communicating the need for action, the media can significantly contribute to meaningful and lasting change,” Mbingo said.
Public Awareness and Education:
One of the major resolutions from the Indaba was the call for increased investment in public awareness campaigns. Delegates said effective public education was essential to altering unsafe driving behaviours and enhancing road safety. The Indaba stressed the need for comprehensive awareness programs targeting high-risk groups, employing a variety of communication channels to ensure broad reach.
Improved efficiencies to achieve maximum results with less resources:
Another key issue that was discussed by the delegates and cited for major collaboration was the issue of the sustainability of the SMVAF. Myeni said there was a strong need to gunner support to ‘stop the challenge and carnage from road crashes.
The claims liabilities have increased from about E252 million in 2019 to over half a billion Emalangeni by 2023. Despite recent increases in the fuel levy, the funds generated have would be constrained to cover the escalating liabilities if the issue is not addressed.
“The discussions have made it evident that public education and data collection are critical components in our fight against road traffic accidents. The resolutions set forth today provide a strong foundation for advancing our road safety efforts,” said Nomsa Dlamini, a delegate.
“The Road Injury Prevention Indaba 2024 has provided a crucial platform for addressing the complex challenges of road safety. The focus on human behaviour, investment in public awareness, and the need for data-driven strategies will be key in advancing road safety. The collaborative spirit and resolutions from the Indaba are pivotal for reducing road traffic accidents and ensuring safer roadways for everyone.”