Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:05 pm
http://lowvelder.co.za/282521/safari-ve ... beefed-up/
Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Marinette Potgieter Journalist
MBOMBELA – The safety of open safari vehicles (OSVs) is again being questioned following the leopard attack on a safari tour guide on July 2.
Although an investigation by SANParks has cleared Mr Curtis Plumb of any wrongdoing, various visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) and other reserves have raised their concerns about OSVs.
These include complaints that the drivers of OSV’s often block private vehicles’ views at sightings or put the animals in danger by attracting them toward the vehicles.
These are issues that are addressed in new a self-regulation project by the Southern African Tourism Services Association (Satsa) and South African National Parks (SANParks), which will take effect from August 1.
Each vehicle must undergo rigorous safety inspections by a Satsa-appointed task team, every five years
Satsa and SANParks have launched a new self-regulation project to promote responsible OSV tourism, comprising new permitting processes, sharpened safety precautions for OSV occupants and reviewed vehicle requirements. The project was launched in April and by August 1 all OSVs must comply with the new regulations.
According to Ms Hannelie du Toit, manager of Satsa’s self-regulation project, new regulations will include fixed partitions made from fabric, metal or plastic, to all sides of the vehicles, enclosing the vehicle.
“Each vehicle must undergo rigorous safety inspections by a Satsa-appointed task team, every five years. Any structural changes to the vehicle have to be re-inspected,” she said. “Vehicle specifications for the April 2015 to March 2016 permit period will remain as it in previous years.
“All new vehicles will have to adhere to the enhanced specifications with immediate effect.” For park visitors who feel frustrated by the behaviour of OSV drivers, a new monitoring system has been implemented which gives private vehicles the power to report questionable driving.
“Each OSV will carry a yellow sticker on the back of the vehicle with a telephone number which park visitors can contact when they want to report bad driving,” Du Toit said. “This will help to enhance all visitors’ experience in the parks.”
Brochures explaining this monitoring process will be presented at the park’s gates.
For park visitors who feel frustrated by the behaviour of OSV drivers, a new monitoring system has been implemented which gives private vehicles the power to report questionable driving.
Operators who want to do business in any of the national parks have to obtain a valid permit. They will also have to undergo meticulous training and admission processes to be operational. Permit applications can be downloaded from www.satsa.co.za.
“Satsa and SANParks have gone to extreme measures to ensure a true safari experience for all its guests, while at the same time caring for the safety of all animals and humans. However, the onus still lies with all guests to keep themselves safe by abiding to the rules of all the parks. It is still law that all body parts must remain inside the vehicles, whether they are open or closed vehicles,” Du Toit concluded.
Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Marinette Potgieter Journalist
MBOMBELA – The safety of open safari vehicles (OSVs) is again being questioned following the leopard attack on a safari tour guide on July 2.
Although an investigation by SANParks has cleared Mr Curtis Plumb of any wrongdoing, various visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) and other reserves have raised their concerns about OSVs.
These include complaints that the drivers of OSV’s often block private vehicles’ views at sightings or put the animals in danger by attracting them toward the vehicles.
These are issues that are addressed in new a self-regulation project by the Southern African Tourism Services Association (Satsa) and South African National Parks (SANParks), which will take effect from August 1.
Each vehicle must undergo rigorous safety inspections by a Satsa-appointed task team, every five years
Satsa and SANParks have launched a new self-regulation project to promote responsible OSV tourism, comprising new permitting processes, sharpened safety precautions for OSV occupants and reviewed vehicle requirements. The project was launched in April and by August 1 all OSVs must comply with the new regulations.
According to Ms Hannelie du Toit, manager of Satsa’s self-regulation project, new regulations will include fixed partitions made from fabric, metal or plastic, to all sides of the vehicles, enclosing the vehicle.
“Each vehicle must undergo rigorous safety inspections by a Satsa-appointed task team, every five years. Any structural changes to the vehicle have to be re-inspected,” she said. “Vehicle specifications for the April 2015 to March 2016 permit period will remain as it in previous years.
“All new vehicles will have to adhere to the enhanced specifications with immediate effect.” For park visitors who feel frustrated by the behaviour of OSV drivers, a new monitoring system has been implemented which gives private vehicles the power to report questionable driving.
“Each OSV will carry a yellow sticker on the back of the vehicle with a telephone number which park visitors can contact when they want to report bad driving,” Du Toit said. “This will help to enhance all visitors’ experience in the parks.”
Brochures explaining this monitoring process will be presented at the park’s gates.
For park visitors who feel frustrated by the behaviour of OSV drivers, a new monitoring system has been implemented which gives private vehicles the power to report questionable driving.
Operators who want to do business in any of the national parks have to obtain a valid permit. They will also have to undergo meticulous training and admission processes to be operational. Permit applications can be downloaded from www.satsa.co.za.
“Satsa and SANParks have gone to extreme measures to ensure a true safari experience for all its guests, while at the same time caring for the safety of all animals and humans. However, the onus still lies with all guests to keep themselves safe by abiding to the rules of all the parks. It is still law that all body parts must remain inside the vehicles, whether they are open or closed vehicles,” Du Toit concluded.
