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
- RogerFraser
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
“Satsa and SANParks have gone to extreme measures to ensure a true safari experience for all its guests,
Hmmmm....
This is new...
Hmmmm....
This is new...
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Sounds promising
Next trip to the bush??
Let me think......................
Let me think......................
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Hope they're ready for a lot of calls!RogerFraser wrote:“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.”
Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Yip, daily on the H4-1Flutterby wrote:Hope they're ready for a lot of calls!RogerFraser wrote:“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.”
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Like this attitude will be safeguarding,...????RogerFraser wrote: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.
Elephants do not exactly jump into vehicles to snatch
at tourist limbs!!!! yet readily attack,.....???????
the questionable body part bit protrusion/attack situation
not entirely a solution to what would be a more concerning
fact that be,....antagonizing of the animals!!!!!!
Heh,.. H.e
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
One must just remember here that SANParks runs their own more or less similar number of OSVs morning, afternoon, evening and night in the various Parks.
Hence the mutual strategy and damage control.
Hence the mutual strategy and damage control.
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Re: Safari-vehicle safety beefed up
Exactly, .......dankie,.....the pot calling the kettle black would not be quiteRichprins wrote:Hence the mutual strategy and damage control.
fitting now, would it!!!???
Heh,.. H.e