10 January 2007
Despite the horrific accidents that took place so far this festive season in
Mpumalanga, the Department of Roads and Transport�s intensified Arrive Alive
festive season Campaign has placed an increased emphasis on visible
policing.
During its campaign, the department has held a number of activities aimed at
ensuring visible traffic policing aiming at minimising road fatalities, which
entailed law enforcement.
Since the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Plan by MEC Fish
Mahlalela at Lochiel on 9 December 2006, the Department of Roads and Transport
has issued more than 10 000 fines and made 336 arrests � from the 1st until the
31st December of 2006.
The offences were highly dominated by speeding which saw 3 234 fines being
issued to speedsters. Among the 3 234, 336 arrests were made, 187 vehicles were
discontinued due to their failure to comply with road laws.
Following the speeding offences was improper overtaking. There were 846
fines which were issued to motorists who overtook on non-overtaking areas. In
fact, previous studies have indicated that speeding and overtaking were some of
the key contributors to road accidents.
Some of the offences that contributed to the staggering number of
lawbreakers being fined, were for poor tyre conditions, faulty lights, and
drivers not wearing safety belts, drivers not in possession of professional
driving permits, poor steering mechanism and faulty brakes.
Also, the arrest of 336 road users was dominated by drunken driving,
suspected stolen vehicles, falsification of vehicle registration and drivers
not being in possession of driver licences.
During the Prayer day event which was held on 6 January 2007, at Sakhile
Stadium in Standerton, the general manager for Traffic Management in the
Mpumalanga Department of Roads and Transport Mr John Nkuna said, �the attitude
of some South African drivers leaves much to be desired, and in order to turn
this around, we need to share this responsibility � of ensuring safety on roads
- because it remains an undisputed fact that our department alone cannot
succeed.�
He further said within civil societies, churches have a significant and
critical role to play. �As the department, we need to take road safety messages
� which are aimed at changing road users� attitudes to high-qualities � to
respective churches and preach about them with the same passion as we do about
the need to repent and seek God�s absolution.�
The prayer event, which was part of the Festive Season Road Safety list of
activities, was aimed at bringing together all churches and share road safety
messages through the word of God.
The intensified Arrive Alive campaign is still in progress as Road Safety
activities continue. The last festive season road safety activity will be held
in Belfast at Siyathuthuka Stadium on 14 January 2007.
The Arrive Alive campaign will run throughout the year, as it is a
continuous activity.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Joseph Mabuza
Tel: (013) 766 6886
Cell: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@nel.mpu.gov.za
Mr Vukani Mnyandu
Tel: (013) 766 6228
Cell: 083 9560 700
E-mail: vmnyandu@nel.mpu.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
10 January 2007
