The Vehicle Testing Association (VTA) of South Africa, a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), reaffirmed its leadership and commitment to international standards in road safety and environmental protection with active participation in the CITA International Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2025.
Chairperson Ferose Oaten and National Director Julian Pillay represented VTA at this year’s event themed “Forging Global Alliances for Safer Roads and a Greener Future.”
With nearly 400 road safety and regulatory experts from around the world in attendance, the conference offered a critical platform for engaging discussions on the role of Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI), type approval, and compliance systems in delivering long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits. CITA President Gerhard Müller opened the event with a powerful call to action, noting the urgent need to accelerate road safety and environmental goals in line with the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. “We must continue to emphasise the role of vehicle compliance to make our roads safer and cleaner,” he stated.
One of the major highlights of the Conference was the presentation of a study showcasing the success of Turkey’s PTI system, reinforcing the direct link between structured vehicle inspections and improved road safety and emissions reduction.
Oaten played a key role, leading a focused session on vehicle compliance challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), drawing attention to the unique needs of South Africa and its regional neighbours. Her contributions were further recognised through her appointment as CITA Vice President Treasurer, a significant milestone that elevates South Africa’s role in shaping global vehicle compliance policy. Oaten will replace outgoing Vice President Treasurer, Mr. Lothar Geilen, who is retiring marking a new chapter in CITA leadership. She will continue to serve Africa in her role as the Chair of the Regional Advisory Group for Africa (RAG Africa).
For South Africa, where over 13,000 road deaths occur annually, with at least 14% of accidents involving unroadworthy vehicles, the relevance of the event could not be clearer. The insights gained align closely with local objectives to modernise the country’s PTI framework. As highlighted in a post-conference report, the implementation of Section 138(k) of the National Road Traffic Act and expansion of PTI to private vehicles are critical next steps. Conference discussions also provided valuable guidance on adopting digital inspection platforms, emissions testing, and training initiatives.
South Africa can benefit immensely from the knowledge shared at CITA and the international momentum around roadworthiness testing. “This year’s CITA conference was not just about dialogue – it was about real, actionable strategies that South Africa can adopt to save lives, protect the environment, and support a modern vehicle compliance industry,” said Julian Pillay. “The connections built with stakeholders from these countries, especially with countries like Turkey and Germany, will play an instrumental role in the transformation of our national PTI system.”
Oaten concludes, “The Istanbul conference reaffirmed the value of international collaboration and innovation in building safer and more sustainable transport systems – an objective that VTA remains fully committed to advancing at home. CITA continues to be a powerful driver for positive change. Our engagement ensures South Africa is not only aligned with global best practice but also positioned to lead in vehicle safety reform across the African continent.”