Robin Carlisle, the Minister for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape will on Sunday afternoon launch the department’s 71.6km average speed over distance camera network on the high fatality R61/Aberdeen Road, the longest such network in the world.
The launch also serves as a commemoration of those that have lost their lives on this stretch of road, such as the Grootboom family.
The camera network is also the first in the country that is entirely propelled by solar and wind energy.
Members of the media interested in attending the launch are requested to send a text message to Steven Otter on 084 233 3811 by midday today so that arrangements for the trip can be made. Transport from Cape Town is available.
Minister Carlisle will host a press conference at the Beaufort West Provincial Traffic Centre at 2:30pm on Sunday 30 October 2011. The launch will be implemented in conjunction with a massive roadblock to prove the efficacy of the system.
The Minister and media will make their way to the roadblock after a presentation on the system’s intelligence, which goes far beyond measuring average speed over distance, including roadworthiness and license status.
Sunday afternoons see a mass arrival of public transport vehicles from the Eastern Cape.
‘After the presentation the system will officially be switched on and we are confident we will get our first customer within a few minutes,’ says the Minister.
‘Our goal is not to make money from fines. Instead, we want motorists to slow down and get Safely Home. Our roadblock will act on information received from the new camera system, as well as conduct general fatigue management, amongst others,’ Minister Carlisle says.
Members of the media interested in attending the launch are requested to send a text message to Steven Otter on 084 233 3811 so that arrangements for the trip can be made. Transport from Cape Town is available.
Place: Beaufort West Provincial Traffic Centre, GPS coordinates 32º19'49"S, 22º35'30"E (Weighbridge N1, after Beaufort West from Cape Town)
Time and date: 2:30pm, 30 October 2011
Media enquiries:
Steven Otter
Cell: 084 233 3811
