We often wonder at the number of 'days' set aside to stimulate awareness of certain elements of modern society. More often than not these days celebrate individuals like the extremely commercial Mother's and Father's day events. We tend to ignore such events unless they go hand in hand with a public holiday. Thus we know that 16 June each year is Youth Day and 24 September, Heritage Day (or Braai day as recently alleged).
What many of you won't be aware of is today is known internationally as World Trauma Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the physical trauma suffered as a result of motor vehicle and other accidents. And it is a day on which we acknowledge the services of a country's emergency personnel, including paramedics, ambulance and hospital staff.
Half a million trauma cases per annum
In a press release issued earlier this week, hospital group Netcare confirmed a trend toward increasing trauma cases. According to Mande Toubkin, Head of Netcare's trauma division there are "in excess of half a million patients [visiting] the Netcare Accident Emergency and Trauma units throughout the country" each year.
And the leading cause of these traumas is something that troubles both the short and long-term insurance industries motor vehicle accidents. South Africa is a world leader in this form of urban terror. Each year upward of 20, 000 people die on our roads with thousands more seriously injured. At September 2007 as many as 15, 000 have already lost their lives on the country's roads. This total will probably rise to 21, 000 by year end, boosted during the peak road use period over the December holidays
This is part of the reason why 60% of short-term insurers consider the motor insurance business to be intensely competitive. It is also not surprising that the 2006 KPMG Short-Term Insurance Survey revealed that "the underwriting results for the motor segment have deteriorated for the industry as a whole to unacceptable levels."
Aggressive traffic behaviour must end
Many reasons are offered to explain the unacceptably high levels of road mortality in the country. Experts suggest that poor road conditions, alcohol abuse, a flood of inexperienced drivers and poor pedestrian discipline all contribute to the problem. Excessive speed is also mentioned.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation notes that South Africa fails dismally in managing speed and drink driving offences when compared with major European countries. These countries strive to ensure that less than 15% of vehicles exceed the imposed speed limits, and that these 15% are effectively punished. European countries are also much tougher on drink driving. The percentage of intoxicated drivers on South Africas roads is 20 to 30 times higher than the 0.5% commonly experienced Europe.
The list of contributors to high motor accident trauma would be incomplete without mentioning South African drivers' blatant disregard for traffic law combined with high levels of driver aggression and zero tolerance for other road users. A recent survey suggested that males between the ages of 25 and 35 were most likely to suffer incidents of road rage. It seems males are also most likely to suffer serious trauma. Toubkin confirmed that 76% of patients admitted to Netcare trauma units were male: "When analysing their ages, there is a huge peak in the age group of 20 to 24. Trauma targets the young and productive members of society."
Take a moment to reflect
We don't like to think that we might suffer a serious motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately the wild-west attitude toward our country's roads makes this possibility a reality of life in our country. It takes discipline to obey traffic laws when everyone around you appears to be flouting them. You have to accept that the extent of your contribution in this regard is that you take responsibility for your actions, and that you pay proper attention to your driving and the applicable traffic laws. You cannot police or influence other driver's behaviour no matter how much you scream, hoot, flash lights or gesticulate.
This World Trauma Day Netcare (and FAnews Online) implore motorists to "observe the rules of the road" and, in the words of the Department of Transport, "Arrive Alive!"
Editor's thoughts:
You need only spend a few years living and working in the UK to appreciate how seriously this country takes road safety. Although the UK has its share of vehicle accidents and death, the citizens of this country have a healthy respect for traffic law. Drink driving is frowned upon, and strictly enforced driver's licence penalty system mean that road laws are closely adhered to. Will South Africa be able to implement a similarly successful penalty system? Send your comments to gareth@fanews.co.za
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