Comet Mosena, a local traffic official, believes that better measures can be taken to minimise road accidents. Mosena, who graduated with a master's degree in road-traffic management and policing from the Tshwane University of Technology last month, feels that assessing drivers on a regular basis, such as checking for valid driver's licences and looking at serious health issues, such as eyesight, is important.
His research is titled Human factors as critical elements contributing to road traffic fatalities in Musina Local Municipality. "The findings of my study revealed that road-safety measures have made few contributions in reducing road traffic fatalities in my study area. I have noted that there are many causal factors related to human behaviour as a critical contributory element of road fatalities. This includes drunken driving, non-adherence to traffic regulations, the attitude of road users, bad driving habits, fatigue, aggression, rage, bad road conditions and corrupt traffic officers who take bribes."
He says that many accidents are also caused by population growth and rapid urbanisation. "The majority of pedestrians, including children, live along the highways that go through informal settlements and contribute to the high number of road accidents. The fact that we have many hawkers selling their product along the highway is also a contributory factor. The solution to all these challenges is for stakeholders to work together to and raise awareness on human behaviour, among others, that contributes to road accidents."
Mosena's qualifications include a certificate in the criminal justice system, a road traffic diploma, a diploma in traffic and metropolitan policing, a national diploma in road traffic management and policing, and a BTech in road and municipal policing. He is currently an assistant superintendent at the Musina Municipality.
He thanked De Beers Venetia Mine for funding his latest degree. He is now working towards a proposal for a PhD.