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Every day about 47 South Africans lose their lives on our roads - many falling prey to accidents that occur far from major centres and only receiving assistance after the ‘golden hour’ for lifesaving treatment has expired. The result is a huge toll in human suffering and loss, with families left asking ‘why?’ and posing the eternal ‘if only…’
It is the ‘if only’ that has now entered a new world – It is with the rising era of social entrepreneurship that the ‘if only’ s´ are being reduced. We have entered a world where mobile technology, a desire to be an independent business owner and a drive to contribute to the betterment of society meet. And what better cause, says Jaco Gerrits, than ensuring that all have the opportunity to get help after being injured in a road accident.
As the 2016 South African finalist of the Chivas Regal’s global The Venture competition, Mr Gerrits joined 26 other young entrepreneurs from around the globe in New York - all of whom have used their talents to start businesses that create positive change in society.
Having been in the tech industry for about 14 years, Mr Gerrits is the first to admit that there are insurance giants in South Africa who offer ‘impact assistance devices’ as part of their packages. However, a whopping 70% of the population have no insurance on their vehicles and therefore no life-saving backup if they run into trouble.
If these motorists are unfortunate enough to have an accident in an isolated area, they are often trapped in their vehicles until somebody comes along and notices their plight. By this time, the ‘golden hour’ required to start treatment on the seriously injured may have long expired.
“Placing road accidents in a global context, there are about 1.3 million people killed and about 50 million injured in car accidents every year,” says Mr Gerrits. “Unfortunately, South Africa features high on this index.
Furthermore, the monetary cost is staggering, with developing economies losing about US$100 billion a year, and South Africa losing more than R300 million. With car accidents causing such social disruption, even organisations like the UN have expressed concern, with a large pillar of their campaign focusing on post-accident response.”
Part of the attempt to help is Mr Gerrits’ CrashDetech, an app that can be downloaded onto cell phones - regardless of whether the user has insurance - to ensure that accident victims get help as soon as possible.
The benefits begin when misfortune strikes. As soon as an impact is sensed, the app swings into action:
An automated voice begins an emergency countdown. If there is no response within 10 seconds, it locates the closest assistance centres and calls in the location of the accident. Immediately, emergency personnel respond. They do not come unprepared; CrashDetech also ensures they are sent the patient’s medical history and medical aid information, so they are aware of any pre-existing conditions.
In the event that the driver is conscious and unhurt, but a passenger requires assistance, telephonic advice is provided by a doctor to initiate action while services are on route.
To make CrashDetech effective, Mr Gerrits and his colleagues saw to it that it was backed by the country’s largest independent register of emergency services and personnel. They have agreements in place that ensure 113 emergency medical services will respond to calls, placing at least 5 000 paramedics on standby across the country.
Costs of the service begin at R49 and increase to R109 a month, with various degrees of service provided at each level. Uniquely, even if you are travelling without a cell phone, CrashDetech can assist; stickers with bar codes are provided for the vehicle, so responding personnel merely have to scan the code or phone the call centre to obtain the information they require.
Mr Gerrits acknowledges that establishing his company, Dynamos Technologies, has not all been plain sailing.
At times, he felt sympathetic to his father, who often told him that if he had joined the corporate world, he would have done better.
“This view changed somewhat when he saw me on TV accepting the Top ICT Entrepreneur in Africa Award,” he laughs.
“The major benefit of carving your own path is that you have to undertake so much on your own. You work long hours, devote yourself to an ideal and take on things that you never would have thought of. This means that you ultimately grow as a person and that is priceless.”
Shelley Reeves, Marketing Manager: Scotch Whiskey at Chivas Regal says, “As the South African finalist, Jaco Gerrits has already reaped the benefits of all he learned throughout the competition, which will help him on his way to national and subsequent international success,” concludes Ms Reeves.
