PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SIGNS LANDMARK BILLS TO IMPROVE ROAD AND RAIL SAFETY

Sat 07 December 2024:

South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a significant step to enhance safety on South Africa’s roads and railways by signing the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill and the Rail Safety Bill into law. These laws aim to protect lives, promote accountability, and strengthen regional cooperation across Southern Africa.

Strengthening Road Safety

The National Road Traffic Amendment Bill changes South Africa’s road safety laws. With over 10,000 road deaths recorded in 2024, the urgency for action is apparent.

This Bill aligns with the National Road Safety Strategy, which focuses on five key pillars: road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response. Together, these measures aim to create a safer, more accountable system.

The legislation takes a firm stance on accountability by introducing measures to suspend or cancel the registration of driving licence examiners, vehicle inspectors, and traffic officers found guilty of misconduct or financial conflicts of interest. These reforms aim to restore public trust and reduce corruption within the system.

“The Bill amends the National Road Traffic Act of 1996 in a number of ways including by providing, among other measures, for the suspension and cancellation of the registration – outlined in the new legislation – of an examiner for driving licences or an examiner of vehicles.”

The Bill also addresses the misuse of learner’s licences by introducing new offences, including fraud, for those assisting applicants in bypassing legal requirements. Driving schools, vehicle bodybuilders, and number plate manufacturers are now required to register and adhere to stricter safety standards.

“It also provides for the registration and grading of training centres and driving licence testing centres, as well as the registration and inspection of various stakeholders in the manufacture, supply and fitment (as applicable) of number plates, weighbridge facilities and microdot.”

Emergency response protocols have been updated to ensure timely assistance during road incidents, a critical factor in saving lives.

“The Bill signed by the President obliges emergency services to immediately respond to a road incident and render all necessary services as prescribed.”

“Emergency services” are defined as including emergency medical services provided by an organ of state or private body for private use, as well as emergency medical services provided by the Department responsible for health services.”

“The law also stipulates that the driver of an emergency vehicle who drives such a vehicle in the course of their duties, or a person driving a vehicle while responding to a disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act may not exceed a speed of 20km/h through an intersection.”

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Improving Railway Operations

Moreover, President Ramaphosa signed the Rail Safety Bill, which introduced railway safety permits and a national monitoring system to enforce consistent safety standards across the industry. This law provides a structured framework to ensure uniform policies and practices.

“The new law provides for the regulation of railway safety and for the continued existence of the Railway Safety Regulator. The law introduces railway safety permits as well as a national railway safety information and monitoring system.”

“The law recognises that safe railway operations promote the use of rail as an efficient mode of transportation and that the effective provision of railway safety demands uniform policy, norms and standards.”

The Bill replaces the outdated National Railway Safety Regulator Act of 2002, recognising major developments such as investments in rolling stock and the introduction of South Africa’s first standard gauge railway system. It prioritises safety as the rail network expands and modernises.

This legislation also aligns South Africa’s railway safety standards with those of the Southern African Development Community, promoting collaboration and ensuring a unified approach to railway safety across the region.

“This is a significant prerequisite for greater regional integration.”

written by Thaabit Kamaar

This article originally published in Salaamedia click here