October's Transport Month has once again placed the spotlight on road safety in South Africa, with industry bodies calling for practical measures to address the country's ongoing road accident challenge.
In its latest newsletter, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) highlighted a three-step strategy aimed at improving road safety through better vehicle maintenance, skills development and greater cooperation across the transport sector.
South Africa continues to experience high levels of road-related fatalities, with an estimated 12 000 people losing their lives on the country's roads each year. The economic impact is also substantial, with road accidents costing the country billions of rand annually. MIWA believes a targeted and coordinated approach can help reduce these losses and improve safety outcomes for all road users.
Keeping Vehicles Roadworthy
The first pillar of the strategy focuses on vehicle roadworthiness. As South Africa's vehicle fleet continues to age, ensuring that vehicles are properly maintained has become increasingly important.
With the average vehicle on South African roads now more than a decade old, critical components such as tyres, brakes, suspension systems and steering mechanisms may become vulnerable to wear and tear. If these issues are not identified and addressed, they can significantly increase safety risks.
MIWA says regular inspections and maintenance checks can help detect potential faults before they develop into serious mechanical failures, ultimately contributing to safer roads and more reliable vehicles.
Building Technical Skills for Modern Vehicles
The association also stresses the importance of ongoing training and skills development within the automotive repair sector.
Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, incorporating advanced electronic systems, driver-assistance technologies, hybrid drivetrains and electric vehicle components. As a result, technicians require continuous training to ensure they are equipped to service and repair these vehicles correctly.
According to MIWA, investing in professional development enables workshop technicians to remain current with emerging technologies while ensuring that repairs and maintenance procedures meet manufacturer standards and safety requirements.
Encouraging Industry Collaboration
The third component of MIWA's road safety plan centres on stronger collaboration between stakeholders across the automotive and transport industries.
Many of the challenges affecting road safety extend beyond individual organisations and require collective action. By sharing knowledge, engaging in constructive dialogue and working together on common objectives, industry participants can identify emerging risks and develop more effective solutions.
Greater cooperation can also support the development of improved standards, policies and initiatives that benefit motorists, transport operators and the wider economy.
As Transport Month encourages greater awareness around mobility and road safety, MIWA maintains that a combination of roadworthy vehicles, highly skilled technicians and industry-wide cooperation can play a meaningful role in reducing accidents and creating safer roads throughout South Africa.
