ACRS - IOC Webinar - Safe System Approach

International Outreach Chapter Seminar Series - For ACRS Members Only

Safe System Approach (SSA) Webinar

Galeboe Motlhajoe ACRS IOC Africa Co-Chair, SORSA Botswana Vice Coordinator

During the webinar Galeboe Motlhajoe will describe the advocacy for Safe System Approach (SSA) from a local (Botswana) and global perspective. Civil societies deserve an opportunity to work with Government so that they can contribute to the achievement of targets and goals that have relevance to their lives. We want to raise awareness about road safety and the safe system approach in the most important national and international forums and continue to break the silos by working through a multi-sectoral approach. The Safe System approach is not a new concept. It has existed for more than 30 years in countries across the globe. Each of the early adopters of the Safe System approach, have seen a marked decrease in traffic fatalities across their roadway systems (with at least a 50% reduction in fatalities). During the same period, fatalities were only reduced globally by 11%. The Safe System approach is how these countries moved off the “plateau” of safety to start achieving significant reductions.

When: 29th November 2023, 4:00-5-30pm AEDT (7:00am CAT)

The seminar focuses on the Safe System Approach (SSA) in Botswana, where partners will find information on increasing prioritisation of safety programs by growing a strong safety culture and adopting the safe system approach in Botswana. Vision Zero is a national vision and strategy to reduce traffic related serious injuries and fatalities to zero, because even one death is unacceptable. With a shared understanding, we can create this safety culture and adopt the Safe System Approach in Botswana.

During the webinar Galeboe Motlhajoe will describe the Botswana Safe System Strategic Plan, which is a roadmap for advancing the Safe System Approach through Vision Zero. He will discuss the process followed to build the plan and the role of road system owners and operators to design, build and operate safer roads. The plan draws on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2020-2030 Global Plan. Launched on October 28th 2023, the plan emphasises the importance of a holistic approach to road safety and continued improvements in the design of roads and vehicles; enhancement of laws and law enforcement; and provision of timely, life-saving emergency care for the injured.

Mr Gale Motlhajoe is the co-founder and Vice Coordinator of SORSA, Botswana’s first youth and children - focused road safety NGO. SORSA has partnered with FIA Foundation, Puma Energy, AMEND ORG, and Vivo Energy Botswana on a proven-effective School-Area Road Safety Program (SARSAI). This program provides simple, targeted infrastructure measures around primary schools – including footpaths, speed humps, walk path, bollards, and pedestrian crossings – that decrease vehicle speeds and separate child pedestrians from traffic. 

SORSA also pioneered the training and assessment of schools with iRAP Star Rating app and working with Emergency Assist 991 and the FIA Foundation to put infrastructure in schools. Galeboe has over 10 years working in road safety and partnering with Global Alliance, UNEP, ANWAC, IRF and Walk 21 to deliver and implement road safety solution locally and globally.