This paper describes a traffic management system (TMS), now being developed in South Africa, that has the achievement of improved road safety as one of its main objectives. The TMS has eleven identified function areas, within the disciplines of engineering, education, law enforcement and logistics: (1) road environment; (2) traffic safety education; (3) driver training; (4) marketing and mass communication; (5) legislation; (6) traffic control and policing; (7) adjudication; (8) research, development and implementation; (9) registration and licencing; (10) traffic information; and (11) medical and other emergency services. With help from various organisations, the Department of Transport was able to able to develop a Policy on National Traffic Safety, which allows the formulation of national objectives and provides for cooperation at all levels of government. The policy requires many authorities and institutions to prepare local traffic plans, each of which includes: (1) a road environment improvement plan; (2) an education programme; (3) a road traffic law enforcement programme; and (4) a logistic programme. Already, road accident casualties have decreased appreciably, and fatalities have fallen even more.
Abstract