Human error still major cause behind road crashes on SA roads
Santam launches Legal Roadside Support to assist drivers through inevitable road risks.
More than 14 000 people are killed on our roads on average every year, amounting to a staggering figure of 40 lives being lost on a daily basis. Approximately 85% of fatal road accidents in South Africa can be blamed on human error as opposed to vehicle or road factors.
The South African Department of Transport says that human factors contributing to accidents include drunken driving, excessive speeding, not using safety belts for all passengers, non-adherence to traffic rules, reckless driving such as overtaking when it is not safe to do so, aggressive and inconsiderate driving, driver distraction such as speaking on cell phones, amongst others.
During the past festive season, 17 000 traffic officers were deployed on our roads. The Department, in a statement released in January this year, said it would launch specific interventions, going forward, which may include reviewing existing legislation and applying harsher measures for serial and habitual offenders including naming and shaming them.
To help clients mitigate the legal risks that arise as a consequence of being a motorist on the road, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, Santam, has launched the Legal Roadside Support service, an offering that is part of its new Personal Legal insurance.
“The reality of increased law enforcement on our roads is that people could easily find themselves in situations where they face the possibility of being arrested on the spot for a criminal offense they did not consider serious enough,” says Joseph Makgopa, Head of Corporate Legal Services at Santam.
Criminal offences, in addition to drunk driving or excessive speeding, include unpaid traffic fines and driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
Makgopa says that without a lawyer available immediately, one faces the possibility of being arrested for traffic rule violations.
“The Legal Roadside Support is our innovative panic alert application, which clients can make use of when they are pulled over by a law enforcement officer and are about to be arrested,” adds Makgopa.
By simply pressing the pre-saved Legal Roadside Support number on one’s phone, the Santam 24/7 call centre will track the client’s location through GPS technology, and provide rapid response by dispatching a lawyer to the scene or police station to render legal services.
Having a personal lawyer available 24/7 can be very expensive, but at an affordable premium of R10 per month, provides access to Legal Roadside Support with cover for R 10 000 in legal expenses and a maximum of five claims per annum.
The Santam Personal Legal insurance is a legal expense cover especially designed to provide cover against potential legal costs and expenses brought against a policyholder on a wide range of legal disputes including criminal, labour, civil and matrimonial matters.
“Legal insurance offers one peace-of-mind in knowing that you are covered for risks associated with costs of litigation. The cover will make sure that one have access to legal advice, and experienced legal representation in a time of need,” says Makgopa.
Customers will be able to purchase the Santam Personal Legal insurance and Legal Roadside Support services online on a uniquely customisable and user-friendly website www.santamlegal.co.za.
“In today’s world, having legal insurance is important in order to protect oneself and family from various legal risks including those that arise from being a motorist. One cannot leave anything to chance, concludes Makgopa.
The Santam Personal Legal insurance will provide unlimited access to legal advice and representation in connection with:
• Family matters including divorce, child custody disputes, maintenance suits and access to children
• Defence against charges in criminal litigation
• Civil legal action by or against you
• Labour disputes such as unfair dismissal
• Identity theft
The Santam Personal Legal insurance offering includes:
• Immediate, unlimited telephonic access to qualified lawyers (24 hours / 7 days a week)
• Access to professional advice, guidance and understanding, and financial assistance for expensive legal costs and representation in court.
• Variety of cover and premium plans available to suit individual affordability range Cover ranges from R40 000 to R150 000
• Legal assistance such as drafting legal documents i.e. sale agreements and ante nuptial contracts.
• Debt counselling
• Cover extending to include spouses and children
For more information visit www.santamlegal.co.za, contact 0861 335333 or e-mail [email protected].
