Speaking to representatives from the South African Department of Transport, the Parliament and the South African automotive industry at a working lunch in Pretoria, Clemens Klinke, head of German service company 7114 DEKRA’s automotive business unit, called for the issue of road safety to be given high priority.
“Road safety is a key factor for the development of emerging economies. Safe mobility will be crucial for economic momentum here in South Africa,” he said.
Klinke outlined the positive developments on road fatalities in Europe since the 1970s, saying that South Africa could benefit from many of the measures taken in Europe to improve road safety, such as vehicle inspections.
In December 2014 alone, more than 1,100 people were killed on South Africa’s roads.
EU ambassador Roland van de Geer, who hosted the lunch, also emphasised that the level of 16,000 traffic fatalities per year was no longer acceptable for South Africa. He also highlighted the importance of the country for the continent as a whole. “South Africa serves as an example. The EU will take this event as an opportunity to work together with the South African ministries and DEKRA to improve road safety,” he said.
“Road safety is a key factor for the development of emerging economies. Safe mobility will be crucial for economic momentum here in South Africa,” he said.
Klinke outlined the positive developments on road fatalities in Europe since the 1970s, saying that South Africa could benefit from many of the measures taken in Europe to improve road safety, such as vehicle inspections.
In December 2014 alone, more than 1,100 people were killed on South Africa’s roads.
EU ambassador Roland van de Geer, who hosted the lunch, also emphasised that the level of 16,000 traffic fatalities per year was no longer acceptable for South Africa. He also highlighted the importance of the country for the continent as a whole. “South Africa serves as an example. The EU will take this event as an opportunity to work together with the South African ministries and DEKRA to improve road safety,” he said.
