1. Reducing Road Deaths as a
National Priority
C J Tolmie
N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

2. The Facts
Crashes
Globally 1.3 million people die in vehicle crashes per annum.
(Source: IRF)
In South Africa the number is 15 000 people per annum.
(Source: RTMC)
90% of the deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
One in four hospital beds are occupied by road accident victims.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) views traffic injuries as
the 9th most critical health problem.
The WHO predicts that by 2020 it will be ranked third.
Globally around 20 to 50 million people are injured per annum.
(Source: IRF)
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

3. The Facts
Economic Consequences
Estimated cost : 1% to 3% of GNP (Source: IRF)
Global GNP : $75-trillion
therefore between $750-billion and $2.5-trillion
South Africa’s GNP : $304-billion
therefore between $3.0-billion and $9-billion
Something needs to be done!!!
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5. Comparison: Fatality Rates
Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Travelled
20
18
18
16
14
12
12
10
8
6
4
2 1.47 1.21
0.52
0
U.S. U.S. All Rural U.S. Toll Roads RSA General RSA Toll
Interstate Concessions
Ref Tollways Winter 2008
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6. Probable Cause of Vehicle Crashes
0% 4%
3%
4%
6%
Human
Vehicle
Object on Road
18%
Pedestrian
Animal
65% Roadworks
Weather
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7. Driver Wellness Statistics
N3 Toll Route
In 2011, a total of 699 drivers were tested:
 Blood pressure (699 tested) : 23% needed treatment
 Glucose (681 tested) : 13% above the norm
 TB (418 tested) : 4% referred for further testing
 Eyesight (313 tested) : 7% needed spectacles and other
interventions
 Cholesterol (279 tested) : 18% had high cholesterol
 VCT (337 tested) : 17% tested positive
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9. Brake and Tyre Watch
In Partnership with:
Location Inspected Discontinued %
Midway KZN 26 10 38%
Pietermaritzburg 12 11 92%
Estcourt 24 20 84%
TOTAL 62 41 66%
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10. So, What are we doing?
National Initiatives
 Not doing enough!
 Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act
(AARTO).
 Arrive Alive.
 Supporting the United Nations Decade of Action for Road
Safety.
 IRAP International Road Assessment Program.
 SANRAL deploying various ITS solutions.
 Various Enforcement Initiatives.
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)

11. So, What are we doing?
The Concessionaires
 We Care!
 Measure and analyse crash data monthly.
 Deploy ITS – albeit limited solutions at this stage.
 Various Initiatives include:
 24/7 Route Patrol Service and Route Control Centre;
 Road Safety Audits;
 Training of Law Enforcement Agencies;
 CSIR Human Behavioural Study; and
 Dedicated road safety campaigns.
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13. The Role of Technology in
Reducing Road Deaths
 ITS must, inter alia:
 Promote smart and safe travel;
 Be affordable;
 Be reliable; and
 Provide real time information.
 We need to develop smart :-
 Vehicles The smart car – e.g. collision avoidance technology;
 Roads Smart Highway Concept – information exchange; and
 Drivers Auto Pilot??
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14. Conclusion
 So how do we reduce road deaths as a national priority?
 There needs to be a balance between Technology and Restrictive
Policies?
 Develop the business model to invest in road safety!
 We need to sell the benefits!
 We need ITS to be part of the solution.
 Just imagine the celebration if we can proclaim:
“It is now as safe to drive a car as to fly a plane!”
 What an ITS challenge?
 Be Safe; Smart; and Sustainable.
www.n3tc.co.za 0800 N3 HELP (0800 63 4357)