So many people are doing so many things to try put a stop to the tragedies that occur on our roads every day of the year. The motivation behind each person's actions may differ but in our eyes, all can be labeled heroes of the road carnage 'struggle'. For advocate Johan Jonck - aka 'Jonckie'- it took a personal tragedy and a burning sense of purpose to get the Arrive Alive campaign into the digital domain. He saw the need for more readily available educational material and discourse on road safety and the Arrive Alive Campaign. The Internet was the obvious place to base his mission station.
Paul Collings spoke to him.
PC: Why did you start the site?
JJ: My mom died in a car accident when I was three years old. I came across
a website called arrivealive.com which was developed by a parent in the USA who, after losing a child, decided to educate the youth on drunken driving. I was surprised that South Africa had never developed a similar site. I thought that we could do more than merely focus on drunken driving.
PC: What was the DoT's response initially?
JJ: I sent a 9-page report on my motives and ideas to the Director General when I heard they were looking into the development of a site. I told them I would like to be as transparent on this as possible and kept them updated on everything. I offered to assist them by putting on the web site any info they would like put on and we have had close co-operation since then. I gave them a user name and password that would allow them to post media releases themselves. They are at present looking into branding across the web site.
PC: How did you finance the development?
JJ: Out of my own pocket - which is much smaller now - and then I got the assistance of current sponsors at R1000 per month - Digicore , Volkswagen and Clear Vision Optometrists - which helps with the development.
PC: Who helped you with development skills?
JJ: Chillies Internet Architects. I was best man at the wedding of the owner and we became friends through rugby. He played SA Under
21 and for Shimlas. I was the Shimlas team manager.
PC: What are the objectives of the site?
JJ: To create an information portal through which greater awareness of road safety can be created with a long term objective to make the internet site part of the awareness campaign. The site not only helps internet users but also benefits people who get the message via other media such as magazines, newspapers etc. Such media should also be able to find what they are looking for on the Arrive Alive web site.
PC: How well visited is the site?
JJ: If you search for arrive alive on Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, www.arrivealive.co.za is the first search result! The site had 193 000 hits during December. Many cases of reports on bad driving are submitted from the web site.
PC: Has the site worked thus far to further educate the public about the campaign and road safety in general?
JJ: Definitely. I have the e-mail responses to prove it, and the "Arrive Alive in the news" section on the site gives a further indication of the reach through other media.
PC: What are your feelings regarding the higher death toll in 2004 vs 2003?
JJ: Very Unfortunate. I believe that there is further planning needed. Road safety should not be seen as the duty of one department or one group of people. I believe that greater participation by more role players is required to define a combined strategy.
PC: How can Arrive Alive improve its effectiveness?
JJ: In my opinion, there should be greater emphasis on enhanced visibility of traffic officials and greater emphasis on the roadworthiness of vehicles. Analysis of accident data is also vital, especially with regards to pedestrian fatalities and where they occurred. Once the hot spots are identified, these areas should be patrolled to stop these people from crossing the roads. Can't we get the military involved?
PC: Should road safety be introduced as a compulsory school subject?
JJ: Definitely!
Visit www.arrivealive.co.za
to post notices, engage in discussions, get advice etc, and to read the many articles on road safety.
Jonckie, FleetWatch salutes you - as we do your sponsors. You are all making a difference and that's what counts.
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