According to data recorded by the MVA Fund in 2017, people of all age groups were affected by motor vehicle crashes during the period under review. Young adults between the ages of 16 to 35 were however the most affected, representing the biggest group of injured people and those that lost their lives with 47% and 45% respectively. A total of 3995 motor vehicle crashes occurred with rollover crashes (29%) dominating, followed by pedestrian-related crashes (28%) and collisions (27%).
The bleak picture painted above supports the urgent call by the 11th National Youth Week which started on 25 to 30 April 2018, for the engagement of vulnerable road users such as young drivers on irresponsible road user behaviour and attitudes that make them susceptible to motor vehicle crashes, as well the call on young people to adopt positive road user behaviour and be ambassadors.
The MVA Fund has implemented and supports various road safety initiatives such as: – #ClickForLife (focusses on driver and passenger safety with emphasis on correct and consistent seat-belt and child-restraint use) – #StandSober (centres around the reduction of fatal injuries resulting from crashes involving drink and driving, increase in community support for drunk and driving initiatives, increased driver perception of robust enforcement of laws prohibiting drunken driving, and intensification of roadworthiness checks of motor vehicles) – #SlowDown&SaveLives (awareness of the dangers of speeding and for drivers to pledge to slow down)
#RoadSafetyMyResponsibility (encourages self-regulation and individual accountability of all road users) – #DoTheRightThing (promotes adherence to all traffic rules and regulation at all times)
The public is once again reminded to report crashes to the MVA Fund Accident Response Number 081 9682, as this can save a life.