Page 41 - SDG Report

THE S2S S2H PROGRAMME ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING MAIN ISSUES REGARDING SCHOLAR TRANSPORT, WHICH ARE:
Driver Fitness and Behaviour
• Drivers attend lessons that focus on major safety risks such as incident management and vehicle safety
• Inprove driving skills by using driving simulators
The first year of the project was a revelation. The initial scoping exercise into scholar transport in this region showed there was minimal compliance with regulations. It had been assumed that there was a relationship between schools and the scholar transport providers, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Approaches have been reworked, methodologies adapted, and new relationships between various stakeholders have been created. All of this has been rigorously documented, as well as the refinement of the project approach.
Five groups of approximately 40 drivers were trained in theory, practical skills and simulated driver training. The training sessions were inspiring, with so many questions from the drivers relating to issues previously not considered. These revitalized drivers are now awaiting the fitment of tracking devices to their vehicles and are anxious to prove how competent and professional they are. The programme commenced in 2019, and will reach an estimated 40 drivers, 600 passengers and 6000 learners during each year of the 3-year project.
Tracking Devices were fitted to 106 scholar transport vehicles in July 2022, and driver performance was monitored for 6 months. The best performing driver was eligible to win a Toyota HiAce from project funding. The telematics data showed eight drivers had completed the entire monitoring period without recording a single transgression. These finalists in the competion all received monetary prizes, and Nondumiso Hlengwa from Lovu, was the lucky winner of a new scholar transport vehicle.
WALK THIS WAY PROJECT
Childsafe is a South African non-profit organisation which aims at promoting optimal health and development of children under the age of 18 years. It is a campaign of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa (CAPFSA) and Safe Kids Worldwide. Childsafe assists in reducing injuries of all severity through research, education, environmental change and recommendations for legislation.
Learner Education and Awareness
Learners receive education on how to be safer road users
School Parent and Community Involvement
Parent and community meetings and information provided to heighten awareness relating to public transport driver and vehicle safety, responsibility for child safety, and general road safety education.
Childsafe in partnership with eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) and Department of Transport (DoT) launched a ‘Walk this way’ pilot project in April 2019. This project is one of several Childsafe projects that aims at keeping children away from harm. The Walk This Way project is a multilevel child pedestrian intervention for schools in ‘high risk’ route areas.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE AND PHASES
Phase1
Road safety education
Phase 2
Assessment and documentation of road user needs on school roads
To improve school learners’ road safety knowledge and to introduce environmental modifications with the support of local Road Safety Partners.
Phase 3
Modification of the environment around the school for safer pedestrian journeys to and from school.
Participation in the pilot project were from the schools with high accident rates that the stakeholders identified. Only the five most critical schools were adopted as participants due to the limited funds that were available.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS GOOD PRACTICE 39