Road accidents becoming second cause of deaths in the world

Road accidents in South Africa cost the Department of Health more than R600 million per year, national Minister Manto Shabalala-Msimang told mourners who attended a memorial service for the victims of a recent bus accident at Seetwaters in Pietermaritzburg.

Tshabalala-Msimang whose relative was also involved in the accident, said people should always remember that when a person gets injured, it becomes a health issue. She explained that her Department spent a lot of money on medication and relevant medical equipment as well as strained limited staff.

Money is also spent to keep the dead in hospital mortuaries, she said, pointing out that the money could be saved and used in other areas if incidents of carnage on our roads could be avoided.

She explained: "But one thing that worries me is that the United Nations’ study has shown that by 2015, road accidents might be a second killing factor in the world if people do not change."

As it is commonly known that drink and driving is one of the main causes of road accidents, Tshabalala-Msimang said the Government is trying its best to reduce the level of alcohol use in South Africa.

She believes that if it were possible to wage war against smoking that causes painful deaths caused by cancer, it would also be possible to fight against road carnage.

Tshabalala-Msimang promised that her Department would lend a hand in road safety campaigns such as educating people about the importance of wearing safety belts.

"I must thank the Department of Transport and the Department of Health for working together and I can see that the low rate of accidents shows that the Department of Transport’s campaigns have been successful," the Minister said.

From Igalelo: The Official Newsletter of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. January/February 2004

back