North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa says that the collaborative partnership of key stakeholders and community involvement in road safety initiatives to reduce road fatalities will be enhanced with the launch of the provincial Community Road Safety Council. MEC Yawa is to launch the North West Community Road Safety Council on Friday, 12 November 2010 at 2:00pm at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel in Mahikeng.
The Provincial Road Safety Council to be launched is to serve as an advisory body of government on road safety issues that affect communities, act as the implementing structure of road safety programmes at provincial level and facilitate involvement of communities in the development of road safety projects.
The launch which is a culmination of establishment of Road Safety Community Councils at local and district levels is aimed atreducing road fatalities through encouraging compliance to road traffic rules and regulations among drivers and pedestrians.
The councils will be responsible for identifying road safety education issues within communities and bringing them to the attention of the road safety authorities as well as devising remedial measures in hazardous areas and liaise with the relevant traffic authorities to institute appropriate preventative measures within the Road Safety Council area.
Representatives of sector Departments of Transport, Education including schools, Health and Social Development , representatives of district and local municipalities, traditional authorities, business forums, public transport operators, organised labour, agricultural forums, driving schools, freight industry, non-government organisations ,community based organisations, youth, women’s groups,churches andfaith based organisations are among the expected delegates to attendthe launch.
MEC Yawa will also use the occasion to present awards to winners of the 2010 Provincial Driver Skills Enhancement Programme heldduring October Transport Month.
The provincial initiative sponsored by Man Truck and Bus, Atamelang Bus Transport, Supreme Auto and is a partnership of the North West Department of Public Safety with RAC Driving Solutions has contributed significantly towards consistent reduction of road accidents involving busses, trucks and other commercial vehicles.
The programme has trained over 652 professional drivers from the private and public transport sector in the past three years.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
