LEE KHOTLELE and LERATO LELIA
The tendency of texting-and-driving amongst youth causes more road accidents than driving under the influence of alcohol. According to international research, students’ tendency of using cellphones while walking and driving is fast becoming the number one killer on the roads.
The annual road safety awareness campaign was held at the University of the Free State last week, to put a focus on the issue. The campaign has various initiatives, but the prime focus this time, was on texting while driving or walking.
More than 3,000 teenagers reportedly die each year in crashes caused by texting while driving. The manager of Road, Safety Awareness and Education for SANRAL, Elna Fourie, , said that students should avoid using their cellphones while driving as this continuously results in road deaths.
“The Check-iCoast is a campus campaign. We know that technology is loved by the new age, but we need to encourage responsible behaviour amongst the youth and road users,” added Fourie.
“More people are being killed by using their cellphones while driving, more than people driving under the influence of alcohol, and that’s shocking.”
Fourie highlighted that SANRAL has a long standing relationship with the University of the Free State and the vibe on the campus is amazing, and it is for that reason it was chosen as one of the Universities to host this event.
Meanwhile, the campaign ambassador, Zenande Mfenyana added that texting-and-driving is increasingly becoming a problem amongst the youth; therefore, such campaigns are needed.
The actress, who plays Noluntu Memela on the popular television soapy, Generations, highlighted the campaign is close to her heart as her life was spared when she was involved in a road accident. For that reason, she would love to continue encouraging students to be more aware and to avoid texting while driving.
“We are going to hold this campaign as often as possible. We want to get to as many universities as possible. We want to tell students to be safe. Not only for their lives, but also for the lives of those around them,” Mfenyana added.
