Die opvoedings- en opleidingstaak van die Nasionale Verkeersveiligheidsraad (NVVR)

Abstract

The aim of this research is to look into and to demonstrate the task and responsibility of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) regarding road safety education. This aim and the functional field in which road safety is promoted through educative teaching and training is described in chapter 1. Relevant data have been collected by means of a literature study (both primary and secondary sources). Apart from the literature study, various countries such as England, West Germany and Australia were visited between 1982 and 1985 where the problem in question was investigated with organisations comparable to the NRSC. These visits were necessary for the author to find answers to the problem in question and to base them on proven practices. The information was interpreted, analysed critically, systematized and described according to the historic-fundamental reflective method of research. The actuality of this research (as reported in chapter 1) is based on the reality of the road safety problem in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). Examples of this problem are the increase in traffic collisions and casualties annually and the insufficiency and often total absence of raod safety education and driver training. Furthermore, it has been shown that road safety is a multidisciplinary concern which has developed into an international priority over the past few decades. The development has taken place in proportion to the increase in road traffic and the socio-economically motorised society. The RSA has not been exempted from these developments and the increase in collisions and casualties that go with it. As a matter of fact, the road safety problem in the RSA has begun to reach unacceptable proportions and as a result has created a need in society for which provision must be made. Chapter 2 shows that road safety is promoted and founded in three main functional areas, namely, engineering, education and enforcement of the traffic law. The functional field of road safety education is exceptionally comprehensive

and is the task and responsibility of various structures in society such as the home, school, training centres tertiary education institutions, education authorities and road safety organisations. Consequently the NRSC has a definite task and responsibility regarding road safety education. The problem question is what education and training task the NRSC has in this regard. The theoretical points of departure, aims and necessity of road safety education are described in chapter 2 in order to base the answers to the research problem (question) fundamentally. The point of departure is that man reveals an own identity in his relationships to his family, community and to his God. This identity structure is revealed in all of his actions. Because road safety education is a human activity, it also posesses an own identity. People and communities show similarities to and differences between each other on the basis of their identity structures. This means that road safety education in any country and community implies definite similarities concerning points of departure and objectives but will also show differences. The meaning of road safety education has been analysed and desribed according to general education philosophies. The meaning of road safety education lies in the fact that it is an educative action which equips man (child, adoloscent, adult and aged) to keep himself as well as others around him out of danger in the traffic situation. Road safety education includes the forming of man1s personality characteristics as a whole, which in turn, determines his attitude and behaviour in traffic. From this it can be deduced that road safety education is indispensable in the promotion of road safety and that it should be an integral part of ordinary educational activities. It is shown in chapter 2 that education in safe traffic participation is primarily the responsibility of the parental home (parents), and that the school (teachers) has also a task and responsibility in this regard. It is also indicated that both these two educative structures depend on non-educational institutions as far as non-formal and informal road safety teaching and training are concerned. This is a further example of the definite task and responsibility of the NRSC regarding road safety education. In chapter 3 there is a cursory description of how the road safety problem in the RSA originated as a result of the inability of the four provincial administraix tions (to whom was given the responsibility of road traffic and road safety after the Union of South Africa came into being in 1910) to provide for the needs of society concerning safety in traffic. As a result, the National Road Safety Organisation (NRSO) was established in 1948, in order to carry out the function of road safety in a co-ordinated manner throughout the country. Although the road safety delegation of 1947 that went abroad recommended that road safety education should be compulsory in all schools and should include driver training, it was not realized in practice. The findings of the Committee of Enquiry into Road Safety, of 1955 - 1957 (Joubert, 1958) were that the NRSO had not achieved its goals and recommended that it should be replaced by the South African Road Safety Council (SARSC). This took place in 1960. Although the SARSC attempted to rectify the problems in the promotion of road safety that had been experienced by the NRSO, the Committee of Enquiry of 1970 - 1972 (Steyn, 1972) recommended that the SARSC should also be replaced. As a result the NRSC was promulgated in 1972. In chapter 4 the organisational structure and functions of the NRSC and the Road Traffic Directorate which performs the functions of the NRSC are described. Through this it has become clear that the NRSC has not been structured strictly according to the recommendations of the committees of enquiry into road safety. As a result, the NRSC suffers to a large extent from the same shortcomings as did the NRSO (1948 - 1960) and the SARSC (1960 - 1972). The absence of experts on road safety, especially in the area of formal education, on the Council of the NRSC, has been pointed out (par. 4.3.3). Furthermore, it has been shown that if driver training in the RSA is to be expanded and established on a higher and uniform standard nationwide, the Department of Transport will have to expand the structure of posts in die Road Safety Directorate in order to provide sufficient, competent instructors and experts. It has also been shown in chapter 4 that the education authorities still do not accept full responsibility for road safety education and all of its components. The measure of involvement and responsibility of the NRSC presently in formal, non-formal and informal road safety education is demonstrated (as far as the provision of teaching media, mass education and the undertaking of research projects are concerned, par. 4.4.3).

An overview of the British, West German and Australian national road safety organisations is given in chapter 5 with the aim of showing only the most important matters affecting their establishment, organisational structures and functions. It is pointed out that the road safety organisations of all three these countries have a task and responsibility regarding road safety education and they are heavily involved in it. As a matter of fact, in Great Britain and West Germany the primary function of their respective road safety organisations is education in safe traffic participation. In chapter 6 the NRSC is compared to the road safety organisations of the countries in question with the aim of showing the most important similarities and differences. The findings of the research have been formulated according to the measure in which peer organisations of the NRSC are responsible for and involved in road safety education after which conclusions have been reached and recommendations made. The findings of the research is described in chapter 7 (par. 7 .2) and are basically the following:

The ultimate goal of road safety education is to form a participant in traffic who is a mature and responsible adult and who will be an asset to society and a show-piece for God (par. 2.3.2). Road safety education must include all the aims of education in order to involve man by educating him in all forms of existence in safe traffic participation (par. 2.3.3). The nature and essence of road safety education was first realized in the RSA since 1972, namely that it does not only consist of informal education but that road safety education should take place as a continuous activity which is integrated into general education and that it should include theoretical and practical driver training (par. 3.9). The RSA does not have a uniform national road safety system or policy. As a result the NRSC cannot achieve its objectives completely (parr. 2.4.6; 3.8.4). Road safety education is a necessity and primary measure against the increasing traffic collisions and casualties and consequently provides for a need in society (par. 2 .4). Road safety education in the RSA has been neglected in all areas. Parents do not fulfil their responsibilities concerning their children's safe participation in traffic. Road safety education does not have its rightful place in primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary level as education authorities have not yet accepted full responsibility (par. 4. 7 .5). Theoretical and practical driver training does not generally take place before licensing. Consequently, the RSA has of the most poorly trained motor vehicle drivers in the Western world (par. 7 .2.9). Road safety education is the co-responsibility of every citizen, every community and all authorities as it is a national priority. Road safety education is identified in the national objectives as contained in the constitution of the RSA. Christian values and civilized norms can largely be achieved by means of efficient road safety education, in order to promote the well-being and happiness of all participants in traffic and in order to respect and to help protect the dignity, life and property of everyone (par. 7.2.13). Road safety education is also the task and responsibility of road safety organisations, especially in non-formal and informal education and training (par. 6.6). The organisation structure of the NRSC and the Road Safety Directorate will have to be restructured in order to carry out its duties efficiently (par. 4.3.4). Based on the findings, the following conclusions have been described in chapter 7 (par. 7 .3): * The aim and objectives of the research were achieved. From the points of departure, objectives and the necessity for road safety education and the findings concerning this, the conclusions are that road safety education is primarily the responsibility of the parent. Besides the home it is the responsibility of the school, tertiary education institutions and non-educational structures. * Because the attitude of man as a participant in traffic is a macro factor

regarding the road safety problem, and a change of attitude can only really be realized through education, it is essential that the RSA has a continuous, purposeful road safety education programme. * The NRSC has a specific task and responsibility towards road safety education as a non-education structure, especially with regard to the non-formal and informal areas (par. 7 .3.2.5). As a result of these conclusions, the following recommendations have been made (par. 7 .4): * The institution of a centre/department for road safety education at one or more university (ies).

Compulsory continuous (uninterrupted) road safety education in all schools including formal and/or non-formal theoretical and practical driver training. The training of teachers and student teachers in road safety education. The training of parents in order to equip them for their obligations concerning the education of their children in safe traffic participation. The restructing of the NRSC so that road safety experts are included and the provision of staff who are able to implement driver training nationwide. Further applied research for the improvement of road safety education. Conclusion: The all encompassing conclusion, based on the research, is that road safety education as a human activity should be anchored in religious actions in order to really succeed in realizing a complete and lasting safety attitude in traffic participation by man.