Citation

van Schalkwyk I. Transp. Res. Circular 2002; (E-C038): 33-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The final draft of the "South African Road Safety Manual" was completed in May 1999. Volume 6 of its 7 volumes deals with roadside hazard management and covers basic aspects related to roadside safety and the use of roadside safety devices. The government of South Africa accepted the manual as a best-practice guideline document for road safety engineering, but the first edition of the manual is yet to be published, and updating, particularly to certain sections of Volume 6, is urgently needed. The general roadside safety-related knowledge of transportation professionals in South Africa is improving and some road authorities are making a serious effort to improve current unsafe practices. Some major road authorities have incorporated the manual in policies relating to road safety-related issues. The manual's use, however, is not contained in any regulation, and it depends entirely on the particular road authority to use whichever system it prefers. An awareness program is currently being run through a road construction magazine with a wide readership, which should add to the continued efforts to improve roadside safety on South African roads.