While the recently announced national budget provides policy certainty, greater emphasis is required on implementing this policy to positively impact South African society and our economy.

In his recent State of the Nation Address, president Jacob Zuma said, “In 2012 we unveiled the National Infrastructure Plan, led by the President through the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

World Cup-related construction works are contributing to an at least 20% increase in claims against the Road Accident Fund, a company that processes claims said on Wednesday.

The organisation is processing roughly 20% more claims against the RAF in 2009 than in previous years, primarily due to roadwork-related accidents, chief executive of RoadCover Eugene Beck said in a statement.

“Hotspots” include Johannesburg’s Gillooly’s interchange and William Nicol Drive, and the N2 in Cape Town.

More needed to be done to improve safety for drivers and non-motorists at major roadworks, he said.

Poor signage, makeshift concrete barriers, sudden changes in direction of temporary roads and narrower than normal lanes were cited as some of the reasons for accidents at these points.

“Signage at many sites is not geared for 24-hour visibility, with night visibility a particular problem.”

There is no policing at these sites where many motorists don’t slow down, or if they do, see it as a chance to use their cellphones, he said.

The increase in the number of injuries and deaths at roadworks in South Africa is consistent with the trend in other parts of the world.

According to the latest US statistics by the Federal Highway Administration, the number of people killed annually in motor vehicle crashes in roadwork zones has increased 45% over the last 10 years.

“The national roadworks in the run-up to 2010 are necessary in order to improve and elevate our public infrastructure to international standards, but more needs to be done from both a safety and law enforcement perspective in order to protect all road users against accidents,” he said.

An RAF spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

Mike Lomas is heading for 10 years as CEO of Group Five, SA's third-largest construction group