The government of South Africa is working towards incorporating driving lessons in school curriculum to curb the overwhelming accident rate in the country.
According to media reports, South Africa recorded 1714 deaths over the 2016/2017 festive period on its roads.
South Africa’s Road Traffic Infringement Agency and the Department of Basic Education as part of part of a long-term initiative to establish and enhance road safety by “skilling” drivers.
“Formal education and training will remain important but we must also broaden our minds and find ways to include road safety messages into the wider curriculum, into mathematics and science, geography and civic education,” Minister of Transportation, Dipuo Peters said, adding that the Transport department is in the process of finalizing the Graduated Driving License framework.
The main causes of the increased road accidents in the country include drunken driving, speeding, un-roadworthy vehicles, fatigue, overtaking on barrier lines and failure to wear visible clothing at night.
‘We also have the partnership with the Department of Basic Education to ensure the inclusion of road safety in the curriculum and the training of teachers. This essentially entails different aspects of road safety awareness which are intended to adequately skill new drivers.’ Said Minister of Transportation, Dipuo Peters
Peters said the provision of a driving simulators programme will be implemented during the 2017/18 financial year
