![Screenshot of the Safely Home Mxit App. Screenshot of the Safely Home Mxit App.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/app_drunk_driving_0.png)
Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works
On 19 January 2015, we launched our Safely Home Mxit application specifically targeted at Western Cape youth.
Traffic injury is the leading cause of death for young people aged 0- 19 in South Africa, and the aim of the application is to extend the reach of our road safety campaign to this vulnerable road user group.
The Mxit app offers an interactive platform where they can share their experiences relating to their safety on our roads. The app has to date attracted 45 547 young people (largely aged between 14 to 20 years old) since going live almost three months ago, and was chosen because it gives Safely Home access to an audience who are usually harder to reach via traditional and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Mxit also appeals to young people from poorer communities due to its low cost and easy accessibility from a wide range of mobile devices, including old feature phones.
The content on the app mirrors the content on our website, Twitter account, the Variable Message Signs (VMS) on the freeways, and the radio and poster campaigns that we run in accordance with the Safely Home calendar.
The app is focussed primarily on giving young children advice on getting to and from school safely, as well as educating them on the dangers of drinking and driving, and drinking and walking. We also provide regular messages to our members encouraging them to stay safe on the roads, empowering them with the information they need to do so, and asking that they encourage their friends and families also to adopt a positive attitude towards road safety.
Messages on the app encourage youngsters to:
Of the close to 46 000 young subscribers to the app, 3 244 entered into a lucky draw to win R50 airtime, in which we asked them to tell us about how they get to school, and how they feel about safety on our roads. Of the thousands of entrants into the lucky draw, 10 have been awarded R50 airtime prizes. The responses were indicative of how aware young people in the Western Cape are of the dangers on our roads:
An analysis of the responses received indicates how aware young people really are of the trauma caused by reckless and irresponsible behaviour. We hope to reach more and more young people through innovative uses of technology, to help us to foster a culture of safe and responsible road use from as early an age as possible.
Educating young people about road safety is critical in changing the unacceptable behaviour seen on our roads daily, and thus to saving lives, preventing injuries and protecting our economy.
Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Tel: 021 483 8954
Cell: 084 233 3811
E-mail: siphesihle.dube@westerncape.gov.za