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Media Release - Business for Road Safety (BRS) forum launches Road Safety Pledge

Media Release

05 September 2019

Business for Road Safety (BRS) forum launches Road Safety Pledge

Johannesburg – The Business for Road Safety (BRS) forum, an initiative formed by the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) in collaboration with other relevant stakeholder business associations launched its Road Safety Pledge on Wednesday at Midrand Conference Centre.

The BRS forum is intended to enable South African business to have a leading role in finding sustainable solutions aimed at reducing the number of crashes and fatalities. In addition, it seeks particularly to support the efforts of the South African Government, including the Department of Transport in addressing road safety issues. These are activities that we believe could help in contributing towards a safer South African society, while also supporting Government to deliver on its broader international road safety goals such as the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety.

In a drive to minimise road crashes and reduce injuries and fatalities in South Africa, the BRS forum has as one of its initial projects introduced a “Sit-Well” campaign aimed at educating drivers and passengers in the correct posture in a motor vehicle. The forum has produced a series of videos that will be posted on social media highlighting the risks associated with not sitting properly, unsecured personal belongings and the correct positioning of the steering wheel and seat.

“Road safety is a complex issue that requires collaboration,” says Philip Purnell of the South African Automobile Association (AA), who is the spokesperson for the BRS forum. “We are pleased that a number of CEOs have already signed up to serving as road safety leaders within their organisations, influencing their employees to join the drive.”

The BRS forum will not only endeavour to expand the numbers of such corporate CEOs and companies to cooperate with it towards improved South African road safety but also calls on Government and corporates to commit through a pledge that they will incorporate road safety into their strategies and to help encourage road safety awareness for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
 
SAIA Chief Executive, Viviene Pearson said: “SAIA has always placed a high priority on road safety initiatives. The safety and welfare of all road users is of paramount importance in our communities. Road crashes cost the South African economy tens of Billions of Rands annually and too many human lives. It is through such collaborative initiatives, aimed at addressing driver behaviour among other things, that we can contribute to the reduction of crashes and fatalities and meaningfully participate in the welfare of our communities.”

Business associations which are currently core members of BRS forum include:

  • The Automobile Association (AA)
  • The Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA)
  • The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA)
  • The Retail Motor Industry (RMI)
  • The Road Freight Association (RFA)
  • The South African Insurance Association (SAIA)
  • The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA)
  • The South African Road Federation (SARF)
  • The South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA)

“As part of this forum, we believe that stronger collaboration with various stakeholders and the implementation of a holistic road safety strategy that incorporates broadened innovative technologies and policies as well as practical on the ground actions such as visible and effective policing, in conjunction with campaigns aimed at changing driver behaviour will make a significant impact on road safety in South Africa,” concludes Sandile Ntseoane from SAVRALA, who also sits on the BRS committee.

//ENDS

For more information, please contact Kwanele Sibanda, Corporate Affairs Manager at SAIA at Kwanele@saia.co.za

Issued By:

SAIA Corporate Affairs
Office: 011 726 5381
CorporateAffairs@saia.co.za

About the SAIA

The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) is the representative body of the non-life insurance industry. It represents the industry to all relevant stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and dynamic industry. SAIA has 58 members, comprising all categories of non-life insurers, including reinsurers. Its members abide by the SAIA Code of Conduct, which ensures adherence to best-practice industry standards and self-regulation.

Its vision is to promote and represent the interests of the non- life insurance industry, while leading and enhancing the efforts of the industry to become recognised and trusted as an important contributor to the South African economy and society.

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