Bakwena announces third quarter safety statistics

JOHANNESBURG - Oct. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Bakwena is proud to report that fatalities on the N1N4 route have decreased significantly over 2015 in comparison to 2014. This year the toll concessionaire reported an average decrease of 25% in road fatalities from 1 January to 30 September, compared to the corresponding period last year.

"We attribute our success to the responsible driving behaviour of motorists as well as our commitment to ongoing improvements, road safety initiatives and partnerships that were put in place to ensure maximum safety," explains Liam Clarke, commercial manager, at Bakwena.

The statistics for both periods are as follows:-

Jan – Sept 2014          Jan – Sept 2015*

N1: 16          N1: 14          (12,5% improvement)

N4: 46          N4: 28          (39,13% improvement)

The most notable change was over the 2015 Easter period, where Bakwena experienced zero fatalities, an improvement from last year’s statistics of four deaths, and an exception to the unfortunate increase in the national statistics of 287 deaths in 208 accidents over the same weekend.

Further, the Tshwane Metro Police, North West traffic and other local traffic authorities have worked closely with Bakwena and PtOps, a company contracted by Bakwena to operate its toll gates and provide route patrols on the N1N4.

“A major concern is the presence of pedestrians on the road which is why accesses to the highway have been closed off and a 2.1 kilometre pedestrian fence has been erected on the N1 north of the Zambezi plaza,” continues Clarke.

The continued and rigorous enforcement of traffic laws on the highway has resulted in improved safety on the N1N4 route.  This coupled with the erection of the blue kilometre board markers which are placed at 200 meter spacing on the N1N4 to assist motorists who need road side assistance and report incidents on the highway.

"In addition, over the past 12 months, Bakwena has undertaken maintenance work on the N1N4 roads, with a combined investment of R855 million to ensure further safety for our commuters. The most recent completed project included the construction of the additional dual carriageway on the N4 between the Brits West Interchange (R512) as well as the Buffelspoort Interchange," adds Clarke

Bakwena is encouraged by the improvement of accurate and timeous reporting of incidents and accidents with the implementation of the new national Road Incident Management System (RIMS) framework from government, as administered by SANRAL. Furthermore, the Bakwena N1N4 was recently part of a RIMS simulation exercise done by the Tshwane RIMS Committee to test efficiency and capabilities of the emergency services on the national road network, to ensure that should incidents occur they are managed in a quick and efficient manner. This simulation exercise was a success and will be done on a regular basis to monitor the capabilities of emergency personnel along the Bakwena N1N4 and TRAC N4 route.

"We are exceptionally proud of all that has been achieved on the N1N4 over the past year including the decrease in fatalities; increased commitment to maintenance of the N1N4  roads; as well as our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) activities. Bakwena is happy to have contributed R9,5 million to a variety of CSI projects that directly impact and better the lives of our communities. Projects include upgrading the storm water drains and sidewalks in Swartruggens, the planned upgrades to storm water drains in Zeerust, our eye screening project with over 20 000 children screened to date, the drama project on road safety, the Pink Drive initiative, Swartruggens clean up, scholar patrols, our involvement in the Marico Myl and the list goes on.

"We look forward to carrying this positive momentum into the fourth quarter of the year and beyond into 2016," concludes Clarke.