Text in Afrikaans / The research is aimed at the problems surrounding traffic violations and crimes. Firstly, attention is paid to the extent of the problem. Secondly, a theoretical explanation of the problem is offered. This is followed by an exposition of the empirical study which is focused on the perception of road users in the Pretoria municipal area relating to four aspects namely; traffic legislation and traffic law enforcement, traffic violations, adjudication of traffic offences and punishment of traffic offenders. Lastly, the prevention of traffic violations and crimes and specific prevention strategies are conducted and discussed. The research report is concluded with specific conclusions and certain recomendations are offered to deal with the problem. / Die navorsing is toegespits op die problematiek random verkeersoortredings en -misdade. Eerstens word aandag aan die omvang van die probleem geskenk. Tweedens word daar op die teoretiese verklaring van die probleem gekonsentreer. Hierna volg 'n uiteensetting van die empiriese studie wat toegespits is op die persepsie van padgebruikers in die Pretoria- munispale gebied betreffende 'n aantal aspekte ten opsigte van verkeerswetgewing en verkeerswettoepassing, verkeersoortredings, straf asook beregting van verkeersoortredings. Laastens word die voorkoming van verkeersoortredings en -misdade en bepaalde voorkomingstrategiee oorweeg en bespreek. Die navorsingsverslag word beeindig met bepaalde gevolgtrekkings en daar word ook sekere aanbevelings om die probleem te kan hanteer, aangebied. / Sociology / M.A. (Kriminologie)

This research assessed the criminological significance of motor vehicle crash data within the criminal justice context. The study was conducted at the southern region Accident Bureau of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). The objectives of this research are to: a. Explore and describe the extent and criminological impact of road traffic crashes on a macro level. b. Explore and describe the impact of road traffic crashes on a micro level. c. Explain the criminological significance of road traffic crash data in relation to effective road safety management. d. Evaluate and describe the attendance and recording procedure of road crashes. e. Evaluate and describe the supervisor’s responsibility in relation to the quality of crash data recorded. f. Evaluate and describe the effectiveness of crash statistics accessed by management and/or officials. g. Evaluate and explain the current prosecution procedure as part of the CJS. h. Evaluate existing policy about the crash-recording process applicable to operational law enforcement practitioners of the EMPD. i. Explore and describe the current state of motor vehicle insurance and its necessity from a criminological perspective. The researcher followed a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data from recorded Accident Report Forms and qualitative data from interviews with participants active in their fields of expertise. Road crashes are characterised by injury and damage; victims suffer trauma and economic consequences, and the society and the economy as a whole are affected. The research suggests that accurate road crash data form a crucial component in the investigation, prosecution and development of road safety strategies in the quest towards improved road safety efforts. It also indicates that existing crash data are of such a sub-standard that traffic professionals will not be able to develop effective and efficient road safety strategies in pursuit of road safety / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

Submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Magister Technologiae: Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The annual incidence of pedestrian casualties on South African roads is approximately 34 000. This includes 4 000 deaths, 10 000 serious injuries and 20 000 minor injuries, costing the country an estimated R2,55 billion. A large number of injuries involve children and this is distressing but preventing this is a challenge. Statistics indicate that pedestrians are most at risk. School children have been identified as forming a considerable percentage of pedestrians. Consequently it is important to understand factors that influence children's travel patterns as an initial step toward reducing the accident rate. This study examines children's travel patterns at primary and secondary schools in the eThekwini area. In the absence of statistics regarding journeys to transport children to school, a questionnaire survey was designed to determine demographics, mode of travel to school, travel cost and duration, factors influencing choices of alternate modes of travel and problems experienced during school travel in terms of road safety. In addition, an on-site investigation was undertaken to assess the relevant engineering aspects including geometric design, traffic calming, signage and other traffic management aspects. This study focuses on scholar transport and discusses the findings of pilot and focal surveys. On analyzing the data, various problems were identified, namely: the road environment favours drivers over pedestrians, an absence of a formal travel plan, poor driver behaviour and an absence of dedicated school buses. A range of possible solutions is recommended. The recommendations focus on the Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation aspects.

Drinking and driving has always been a problem amongst university students. As Rocha-Silva (1981:1) states, drinking and driving accidents are one of the biggest problems that many universities internationally and locally have to deal with. The high level of drinking and driving among students in South African universities has prompted many universities to implement strategies to address the problem, such as the "Buddy Bus" campaign. The Department of Transport (DoT) has also implemented strategies such as the Arrive Alive campaign and Asiphephe to try and reduce the problem of drinking and driving in the country at large. However, studies on drinking and driving behaviour according to Nuntsu (2004) still point to an increase in the number of young people who engage in drinking and driving despite the number of diversified initiatives that have been implemented by educational institutions, communities and by various government bodies to counteract it. This has prompted this study in identifying the implementation approaches used by certain universities in South Africa in addressing drinking and driving among university students and the marketing strategies used to promote the drinking and driving policies. These universities included; the University of Johannesburg, Witwatersrand University and the University of Pretoria (Gauteng Province), University of KwaZulu-Natal campuses (Howard College, Westville campus and Pietermaritzburg campus), and the University of Zululand (KwaZulu-Natal province), the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and the University of Western Cape (Western Cape province). The method used for this study was qualitative method and the data was collected using face to face in-depth interviews. Both purposive and quota sampling was used to select the sample for the study. The findings showed that all the institutions under investigation had anti-drinking and driving programmes and campaigns such as "Buddy Bus" campaign and utilised music concerts with young famous musicians promoting anti-drinking and driving messages to students. However, they did not have formal, codified drinking and driving policies. Both the "top-down and the "bottom-up" approaches to policy implementation were identified in the institutions investigated. The "top-down" approach is implemented by the people at the top level, for example, in universities the management set the rules and the students have to abide by them. The "bottom-down" approaches are managed by students. The students decide on how the policies should be implemented. This approach is more flexible as it allows negotiation between students and management. The "bottom-up" approach appeared to be more "popular" than the "top-down" approach as it was adopted by seventy percent of the institutions. These institutions saw the "bottom-up" approach as appropriate in implementing the drinking and driving programmes as it allowed the student organisations (street-level bureaucrats) to have input on the policy implementation process. Indeed it also allows for negotiation and consensus building. The sociological theories, e.g. social learning theory, used in the study to explain students drinking were also evident in the findings with some universities adopting some of their suggested preventative measures which include the emphasis on negative social consequences of alcohol use and employment of popular peer role models to discourage alcohol use. However, the availability theory appeared to be more relevant in addressing drinking and driving behaviour, because for students to stop drinking and driving, alcohol should not be available to them - the premise of the theory. It was also evident from the findings that although there are programmes/strategies being implemented by the universities and DoT to address students drinking and driving, this deviant behaviour is still rife amongst the students. There is a need for more interventions from the universities, communities and DoT, all working together in developing and implementing drinking and driving strategies. There is also a need for theory-driven research on this "deviant behaviour", especially studies that use sociological theories to explain this "deviant behaviour" and the factors contributing to it. This will assist in providing important information and an understanding of why students engage in drinking and driving and also help to explain this deviant behaviour using sociological theories. The results of this theory-driven research will aid in highlighting important issues that need to be taken into consideration when designing drinking and driving programmes/policies at universities. The findings show that there is a need for approaches that will equip young people with life skills such as decision-making and peer pressure resistance skills which will allow them to resist the temptation of drinking and driving. Future investigations should thus focus on an evaluation of the drinking and driving strategies and the approaches used to implement them so that new and improved strategies can be developed. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, [2008]

Submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Magister Technologiae: Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The annual incidence of pedestrian casualties on South African roads is approximately 34 000. This includes 4 000 deaths, 10 000 serious injuries and 20 000 minor injuries, costing the country an estimated R2,55 billion. A large number of injuries involve children and this is distressing but preventing this is a challenge. Statistics indicate that pedestrians are most at risk. School children have been identified as forming a considerable percentage of pedestrians. Consequently it is important to understand factors that influence children's travel patterns as an initial step toward reducing the accident rate. This study examines children's travel patterns at primary and secondary schools in the eThekwini area. In the absence of statistics regarding journeys to transport children to school, a questionnaire survey was designed to determine demographics, mode of travel to school, travel cost and duration, factors influencing choices of alternate modes of travel and problems experienced during school travel in terms of road safety. In addition, an on-site investigation was undertaken to assess the relevant engineering aspects including geometric design, traffic calming, signage and other traffic management aspects. This study focuses on scholar transport and discusses the findings of pilot and focal surveys. On analyzing the data, various problems were identified, namely: the road environment favours drivers over pedestrians, an absence of a formal travel plan, poor driver behaviour and an absence of dedicated school buses. A range of possible solutions is recommended. The recommendations focus on the Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation aspects.

This research assessed the criminological significance of motor vehicle crash data within the criminal justice context. The study was conducted at the southern region Accident Bureau of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). The objectives of this research are to: a. Explore and describe the extent and criminological impact of road traffic crashes on a macro level. b. Explore and describe the impact of road traffic crashes on a micro level. c. Explain the criminological significance of road traffic crash data in relation to effective road safety management. d. Evaluate and describe the attendance and recording procedure of road crashes. e. Evaluate and describe the supervisor’s responsibility in relation to the quality of crash data recorded. f. Evaluate and describe the effectiveness of crash statistics accessed by management and/or officials. g. Evaluate and explain the current prosecution procedure as part of the CJS. h. Evaluate existing policy about the crash-recording process applicable to operational law enforcement practitioners of the EMPD. i. Explore and describe the current state of motor vehicle insurance and its necessity from a criminological perspective. The researcher followed a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data from recorded Accident Report Forms and qualitative data from interviews with participants active in their fields of expertise. Road crashes are characterised by injury and damage; victims suffer trauma and economic consequences, and the society and the economy as a whole are affected. The research suggests that accurate road crash data form a crucial component in the investigation, prosecution and development of road safety strategies in the quest towards improved road safety efforts. It also indicates that existing crash data are of such a sub-standard that traffic professionals will not be able to develop effective and efficient road safety strategies in pursuit of road safety / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

MENVSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / Road transport safety is challenging globally, especially in developing countries, where it affects both road users and governments. The aim of road traffic safety is to ensure a reduction or total eradication of road fatalities and other injuries that are related to road accidents resulting from public road usage. In South Africa, one of the major problems faced by the Department of Roads and Transport is the issue of road traffic accidents. Between 2004 and 2010 the annual road traffic accidents increased to over 500,000 and 28,000 or more are fatal, which has led to serious injuries, as reported by the Department. This study analysed patterns and trends of road traffic injuries and fatalities in Vhembe District Municipality from January 2011 to August 2015. It also mapped road accident hotpots using Getis hotspot analysis and linear referencing in ArcGIS 10.2 spatial statistics extension. The research further established correlation between accidents spots and road design geometry. Factors that are responsible for road traffic accidents leading to fatalities, injuries, and loss of property were also examined. Pedestrian behavioural attitude towards adhering to road safety measures was studied using systematic random sampling, field observation and questionnaires. Finally, the study investigated if there has been any significant reduction in the road traffic injuries and fatalities occurrence rate within the last five years in Vhembe District since the commencement of World Health Organisation; Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. It was found out that most of the accidents occurred as a result of changes in human social behaviour, negligence and indulgence. The passenger road users category is the worst affected followed by drivers and pedestrians. It was found out that road crashes have decreased by 35% since the commencement of decade of action for road safety. The composition of road traffic injuries and fatalities since 2011 shows a reduction in the numbers of victims recorded. An average of 86 fatalities, 326 serious injuries and 701 minor injuries occurred per annum within the study period. There was high significant value (p  0.05) among all the categories of road users understudied. The differences observed were real and did not occurred by chance for the 5year period (2011 – 2015).

Thesis(MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Road traffic injuries negatively impact on the health and the development of the world’s population. The situation is not different in South Africa, particularly in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. In this area, over the past years there has been a steady annual increase of the number of fatalities in the national and provincial roads. This has necessitated the national department of transport to implement mitigating plans with the objective of promoting road safety. It is envisaged that if national road safety plan known as the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) is clearly defined and effectively implemented, the road fatalities can drastically be reduced. The plan provides some focus areas to be looked at in a way to promote road safety and reduce road accidents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the NREP, whether it is consistently implemented; and to identify the gaps that affect the implementation process, and to recommend the mitigating factors that will improve the implementation processes of the NREP. A mixed method research approach was used in conducting the study. The first phase entails the collection of quantitative data through structured questionnaires involving traffic officers and traffic managers; while a second phase entails qualitative data collected through focus group discussions that involved traffic officers. The results show the extent at which the traffic officers are involved in the implementation of the NREP. To note, the findings are generalised to the national traffic operations. The study focussed on only one geographical area, namely Limpopo province in South Africa, and not on road transport operations in other parts of the country. Future research should expand on the nationalisation of traffic law enforcement officers.

Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study investigated the effectiveness of the national road safety strategy towards reducing accidents and road fatalities on the N1 in the Limpopo Province. Qualitative research was conducted to determine the experiences of the traffic law enforcement officers in implementing the road safety strategy in the Limpopo Province. Primary qualitative data were collected using the semi-structured questionnaire supplemented by telephonic interviews. Two groups of participants including the traffic law enforcement officers (n=10) and managers (n=5) participated in the study. The study established the domains of effective implementation and areas of challenges with discrepancy between the expected level of strategy implementation and availability of sufficient human and fiscal resources to enhance effective strategy implementation. The factors that impeded the effective implementation of the road safety strategy towards reducing accidents and road fatalities on the N1 in the Limpopo Province included the inadequate allocation and distribution of traffic officers in areas with a high probability of accidents, delayed recruitment of sufficient traffic law enforcement officers and unavailability of required budgeted funds for procurement of state of the art physical equipment to monitor the speed and magnitude of traffic flows and real-time surveillance and capture of road safety transgressions. The findings revealed that there is a considerable need for traffic law enforcement managers to collaborate with behavioural professionals and the police to ascertain effective behavioural change mechanisms to encourage road safety compliance. However, recruitment and constant re-training of traffic law enforcement officers on best practice strategies for traffic law enforcement could be useful to ensure the effective implementation of the road safety strategy; thereby contributing towards the reduction of accidents and road fatalities on the N1 in the Limpopo Province.

Child pedestrian injury and mortality is an issue of significant public health concern in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng, in South Africa. Since there is a paucity of studies in the last decade or more on fatal childhood traffic and non-traffic injuries in Johannesburg, this study aspires to address the disproportion in this domain of research, and provide more recent, and comprehensive empirical evidence over a ten-year period. The overarching aim of this study was to describe and examine the magnitude, circumstances, and neighbourhood characteristics of fatal pedestrian injuries among children (0-14 years) in Johannesburg for the period from 2001 to 2010. More specifically, the objectives of the study were: firstly, to provide a comprehensive epidemiological description of the magnitude, trends and occurrence of pedestrian mortality among children; secondly, to describe and examine the epidemiology of child pedestrian mortality in relation to children as motor vehicle passengers; thirdly, to describe and examine child pedestrian mortality in relation to non-traffic injuries, in particular, burns and drowning; and fourthly, to assess the influence of neighbourhood characteristics on child pedestrian mortality. The study conceptualised pedestrian road safety within an ecological systems framework. The study used quantitative descriptive, and multivariate logistic regression methods of analysis to examine child pedestrian mortality data. The study drew on data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS) and the Census 2001. The main findings indicated that black, male children aged 5 to 9 years (11.02/100 000) are the most vulnerable, and that mortality occurred predominantly during the afternoons and early evenings (12h00-16h00 and 16h00-21h00), over weekends, during school holidays, and to a lesser extent, during non-holiday months. In addition, neighbourhood characteristics that reflected concentrations of disadvantage, single female-headed households and residentially stable areas were associated with child pedestrian mortality. The study findings highlight the need for critical action in terms of investment in child pedestrian safety research, and appropriate prevention initiatives guided by stringent evidenced-based studies, and the design of safe pedestrian, vehicular and urban environments. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)