ACTIVITY 1:

1.1

Community services are services provided by the government or non-profit organizations to meet
the needs of the people in a particular area. These include basic services such as waste removal,
clean water, road maintenance, health care, and safety, which help ensure a safe and healthy living
environment.

1.2

 Lack of regular maintenance and repair by local municipalities.

 Poor construction materials and workmanship.

 Heavy rainfall and flooding that damage road surfaces.

1.3

 Reporting potholes and damaged roads to the relevant authorities.

 Participating in community meetings to raise concerns about road safety.

 Avoiding actions that damage infrastructure, such as illegal dumping on roads.

ACTIVITY 2
2.1

 Monitoring road infrastructure and reporting damaged roads to the municipality for repairs.

 Allocating funds and resources for the maintenance and upgrading of roads.

 Educating the community about road safety and involving them in community clean-up and
repair initiatives.

2.2

Right to Life and Safety – Poor road conditions increase the risk of fatal accidents, violating a
person's right to live in a safe environment.

Right to Access Basic Services – Damaged roads hinder access to hospitals, schools, and work, which
violates the right to access essential services.

2.3

National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996) – Regulates road traffic and vehicle safety standards,
ensuring that roads and drivers comply with legal safety requirements.

Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) – Although focused on workplace safety, it
applies to public services like transport, promoting a safe environment for road workers and users.

Activity 3
3.1.1 What do you think are the main causes of poor road conditions in your community?

=Lack of maintenance and too many heavy trucks.

3.1.2 How do poor roads affect daily lives in your community?

=They cause delays, damage cars, and make it hard to get to school or clinics.

3.1.3 What do you think can be done to improve road conditions?

=The government must repair roads more often and use better materials.

3.1.4 Have you ever experienced any dangers while travelling on poor roads?

=Yes, I was in a taxi that nearly crashed because of a pothole.

3.1.5 What roles do you think individuals can play in addressing poor roads?

=People can report issues and attend community meetings to raise concerns.

3.1.1
a) How do poor roads and accidents affect access to healthcare, education, and employment?

Healthcare: Poor roads delay emergency services like ambulances, risking lives.

Education: Learners arrive late or miss school due to unsafe or damaged transport routes.

Employment: Workers face delays or vehicle damage, affecting attendance and job performance.

b) Discuss the disproportionate impact of poor roads on vulnerable groups such as women, children,
the elderly, and people with disabilities.

- Poor roads make travel unsafe for vulnerable groups. Elderly and disabled people may
struggle to access clinics, while children walking to school face higher accident risks due to
lack of safe pedestrian paths.

c) How do poor roads and accidents contribute to inequality and poverty in South Africa?

- Communities in poor areas suffer more from bad roads, increasing transport costs and limiting
access to jobs or services, which worsens poverty and deepens inequality.

Activity 4
4.1

Draw bar graph

Trends Analysis:

- Accidents are slightly decreasing, but fatalities remain high.

List and explain THREE major causes of road accidents in South Africa

1. Human error – Speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, and distracted drivers are the main
causes of crashes.
2. Poor road conditions – Potholes, lack of road signs, and poor lighting increase accident risks.
3. Vehicle failure – Worn-out tyres, brake failure, and lack of maintenance also contribute to
accidents.

What percentage of road accidents in South Africa is attributed to human error?

Approximately 85–90% of road accidents in South Africa are due to human error.

Evaluate TWO roles that social media platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok) can play in road
safety awareness

WhatsApp & Facebook – Community Alerts:

Local groups can quickly share pothole locations, accident alerts, and municipal service delays. This
helps prevent accidents and holds officials accountable.

Tik Tok & Instagram – Educational Campaigns:

Youth-focused road safety videos and challenges can spread awareness quickly. Influencers can
promote responsible driving and highlight the impact of poor roads.

Propose an effective public awareness slogan that local municipalities could use to promote road
safety
“Fix the Roads, Save a Life!”

Summary of your research findings on the relationship between poor roads and accidents.

- Poor road conditions, such as potholes and lack of signage, directly contribute to accidents
and deaths. These conditions affect access to schools, hospitals, and work, especially in poor
communities. This shows that poor infrastructure is both a safety and human rights issue.

ACTIVITY 5: RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Explain how communities and civil society organizations can advocate for better roads and hold
the government accountable.

= Communities and civil society organizations can form advocacy groups that petition local
municipalities to repair roads, use social media to raise awareness, and attend municipal meetings to
demand transparency and action. They can also report service delivery failures to the Public
Protector or relevant departments.

5.2 Discuss the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the by-laws used by your local municipality to
ensure proper road maintenance.

Effectiveness: Some by-laws allow for road inspections and public reporting systems, which help
identify problem areas early.

Ineffectiveness: Enforcement is often weak due to limited staff, delayed budgeting, and corruption,
which results in roads remaining unrepaired for long periods.

5.3 Critically discuss how poor road infrastructure has impacted local businesses or the economy in
South Africa.

= Increased Costs for Businesses: Delivery trucks face frequent tyre or suspension damage due to
potholes, leading to higher operational costs and delays in service delivery. Reduced Customer
Access: Poor roads discourage customers from visiting local shops or small businesses, especially in
rural areas, leading to decreased sales and potential job losses.

5.4 Suggest ONE short-term solution that can be implemented to improve road safety and uphold
human rights.

= A short-term solution is to introduce a community-led pothole reporting app, where residents can
log road damage. Municipalities can use this data to prioritize urgent repairs and improve safety for
both drivers and pedestrians.

5.5 Suggest ONE long-term strategy that the government and private sector can adopt to address
poor roads and accidents while respecting human rights.

= A long-term strategy is for government to partner with private construction companies under
public-private partnerships (PPPs) to upgrade road infrastructure using durable materials. This
ensures accountability, improves quality, and creates jobs—while fulfilling the constitutional right to
safety and mobility.

ACTIVITY 6: REFLECTION/CONCLUSION
6.1 After learning about poor road conditions in South African communities and hearing different
perspectives, how has your understanding of this issue informed your behavior with respect to
violation of road safety rules, and what actions can be taken to help maintain roads?

= After learning about the effects of poor road conditions, I now understand how they directly affect
people’s safety and access to essential services. I have realized the importance of obeying road rules
and driving cautiously, especially in areas with potholes or no signage. I’ve also learned that
community members must report road issues and avoid damaging public infrastructure. In the
future, I will support awareness campaigns and encourage others to take care of our roads and
pressure the local government to act.

ACTIVITY 7: LIST OF REFERENCES

7.1 List a minimum of FOUR resources that you used during the preparation of your research.
Arrive Alive. (2023). Road Safety and Road Conditions. www.arrivealive.co.za

Department of Transport. (2023). Annual Road Safety Report. Pretoria: Government Printer.

News24. (2024). SA’s Road Crisis: How Potholes Are Costing Lives. www.news24.com

Stats SA. (2023). Transport and Road Accident Statistics in South Africa. www.statssa.gov.za