The Limpopo road safety strategy (LRSS) : a blue print for implementing province specific road safety strategies in South Africa

Abstract

The paper provides a work plan to develop customised specific provincial road safety strategies, based on work conducted in the Limpopo Province. The methodology for developing the strategy is described; as well as the experience and lessons learnt that could be beneficial to other provinces that will be implementing similar road safety strategies. The first step was a review of international and national road safety strategies, including the lessons learnt through the implementation process. Some of the more successful strategies are the Swedish Zero Vision and the Dutch Sustainable Safety approach, culminating in the Safe System Approach. The second focus was to conduct a status quo analysis of the current Limpopo Province planning, preparation and response to the road safety challenge. This analysis is an important element in developing a province specific road safety strategy. Thirdly, the paper provides an overview of the stakeholder engagement process followed to clearly understand the local road safety challenges and guidance obtained to draft potential road safety interventions based on the stakeholder’s experience. The next step was the development of a list of province specific road safety interventions to be implemented over the short, medium and long term. These interventions form the core of the Limpopo Road Safety Strategy (LRSS); and must be practical, implementable and measurable. The Implementation Plan for the LRSS provides a broad framework about how to move forward. It describes the governance structures for the implementation process, involving provincial departments, district municipalities, the Limpopo Road Safety Programme (LRSP) team, private corporate leadership and members of the community. A set of road safety performance indicators are listed be used to monitor successes with the implementation of the targeted interventions – which specifically define the needs and priorities of the Limpopo Province. The lessons learnt during the development of the LRSS are discussed and can be beneficial for developing a road safety strategy. An important prerequisite for the successful implementation of the LRSS is to involve the political leadership in the province to oversee and coordinate the implementation phase.