South African Insurance Association congratulates authorities on efforts to make SA roads safer

"The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) congratulates the efforts of the Ministry of Transport, as well as the relevant traffic and law enforcement authorities to make our roads safer for South African citizens," said Barry Scott, Chief Executive of SAIA, today in Johannesburg.

"The announcement by the Ministry of Transport that 5.5 million vehicles and drivers had been checked during the last four months is heartwarming, as the losses in lives and property and assets due to the high accident figures on our roads are not acceptable. Not only do these losses add up and negatively affect the economy as a whole, and many societies, families and individuals in particular, but it also influences the affordability of motor insurance in South Africa," he added.

The SAIA is currently implementing an holistic motor insurance strategy to address the affordability of comprehensive motor insurance in South Africa, as well as to assist in making roads safer for all South African citizens. The strategy includes many areas, addressing both the number of claims which is related to road safety and vehicle crime, as well as the cost of claims which mainly relates to the repair of vehicles after accidents, he said. Initiatives currently include the motivation for compulsory third party motor property insurance, creating awareness about the responsibilities of motorists on our roads, working with the relevant authorities to address issues around road safety, several projects to continue to address vehicle crime, considering the cost of repairs, and many more.

"The industry has a good history when tackling important issues head-on and in a collaborative manner. Through various initiatives, including joint actions taken by the relevant authorities, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA), the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), the motor manufacturers and vehicle security role players, as well as the SAIA and its members, vehicle crime has decreased since 2002 on average by approximately 50%. The SAIA has, for example, contributed between one and two million rands per annum toward the fight against vehicle and other crime through annual donations to BACSA between 2002 and 2010," Scott said. - 2 -

"We believe that a similar effort is needed in the road safety arena and wish to take hands with all the relevant role players in addressing this serious area of concern as an industry," he stated.