FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Issued on behalf of: ChildSafe South Africa Road Traffic Management Corporation City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department
ChildSafe South Africa and Partners Commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
TSHWANE, South Africa – November 17, 2024 – ChildSafe South Africa, in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and key partners as well as community stakeholders, will commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 17, 2024. The communication campaign for this year tells the stories of THAT DAY when traffic collisions stopped or changed the course of the victim’s lives forever. The event will take place at St. Agnes Anglican Church in Mahube Valley, Mamelodi, as part of the ongoing Walking Safely to School Project Community Awareness initiative.
Significance of the Day The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed annually on the third Sunday of November in memory of those who lost their lives in fatal road crashes as well as those that suffered serious life-altering injuries as a result. Road traffic incidents remain the leading cause of injury and death among children over the age of five.
Key Statistics Every day, more than 600 children and young people lose their lives in preventable road crashes globally, with 97% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The latest data from the RTMC reveals that while overall crash and fatality statistics have shown a decline, with fatal crashes decreasing by 2.5% and fatalities decreasing by 4.4% compared to the previous year, pedestrian fatalities have risen from 43.0% in 2022 to 45.1% in 2023. This remains a significant challenge, particularly for children aged 0-14 years, who accounted for 10.2% of these fatalities.
Advocacy Efforts Reducing child fatalities also requires the enforcement of regulations on child seats and restraints, according to the RTMC. The World Health Organization estimates that child safety seats prevent 50–80% of injuries and they prevent ejection during a crash. ChildSafe South Africa continues to advocate for the implementation of a 30km/h speed limit around schools. This initiative aims to create Safe School Zones, reducing the risk of injury or death for children on their way to and from school. The organisation emphasises that lower speed limits in school zones can significantly decrease the likelihood and severity of road traffic injuries among children.
“Today, we remember our loved ones, we honour the selfless service of first responders, and we make our voices louder to raise awareness on the importance of road safety and responsible driving behaviour,” said Zaitoon Rabaney, Executive Director at ChildSafe South Africa. “We are committed to advocating for safer roads and the 30km/h speed restriction around schools.”
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department (ESD) says it will participate in the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims as part of its mandate to provide disaster risk management, firefighting, and rescue services to prevent the loss of life, and to fulfil the City’s strategic priorities of enhancing city safety, security, and emergency services, and being a caring City that supports the vulnerable and provides social relief.
“The Department and its first responders work tirelessly to identify, reduce and minimise the impact of disasters and emergencies on our roads and will continue to raise awareness and inform all its residents and visitors of ways to prevent these disasters from happening,” concluded ESD Spokesperson, Lindsay Z. Mnguni.
Program Highlights On November 17, World Day of Remembrance activities will begin with a church sermon, followed by a moving candle-lighting ceremony and remembrance prayers to honour the lives affected by road crashes. First responders will address the congregation, sharing messages about the significance of road safety and their experiences on the front lines. Representatives from various road safety organisations will also provide important information and resources to encourage safer practices within the community.
Event Details:
- Date: November 17, 2024
- Time: 08:00 – 11:00
- Location: St. Agnes Anglican Church, Mamelodi
Program Highlights:
- 08:00 – 10:30: Church Service
- Candle Lighting Ceremony & Remembrance Prayers
- 10:30: #WDoR Messages
- 11:00: Procession to Solomon Mahlangu
Following the service, a procession will take place from St Agnes to Solomon Mahlangu Road to raise community awareness about road safety. This symbolic walk aims to bring attention to the importance of vigilance and responsibility on our roads, particularly for the safety of schoolchildren and other vulnerable pedestrians.
For more information and to get involved in our road safety initiatives, please visit ChildSafe South Africa’s website.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
ChildSafe South Africa Shane Everts, Strategic Communications, 081 660 8760, shane@childsafe.org.za
Road Traffic Management Corporation Simon Zwane, Chief Communications Officer, 082 551 9892, simon.zwane@rtmc.co.za
City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department Lindsay Z. Mnguni, Acting Public Information and Liaison Officer, 012 358 6331, lindsaym@tshwane.gov.za
About ChildSafe South Africa ChildSafe South Africa is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to reduce and prevent children’s injuries through Research, Education, and Advocacy. The organisation is a registered NPO with section 18A exemption who works with other non-profits, government, corporations and communities. Our core focus though is the prevention of unintentional injuries that are usually regarded as accidents, such as, burns, falls, drowning, road traffic crashes, choking and poisoning. For more information, visit ChildSafe South Africa’s website.
