The Eastern Cape Department of Transport held a memorial service for the six Elliotdale crash victims at Xhora town hall, Elliotdale on 10 May 2012.
Speaking on behalf of the provincial government, the MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu, conveyed words of condolences to the families and relatives of the six deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“As the transport family (nationally and provincially) we believe that road safety is one issue wherein all South Africans share a unity of purpose. It is a problem that affects everyone regardless of colour, gender, religious beliefs or even political affiliation. We agree that we all have a common responsibility to ensure that our roads are safer” said MEC Marawu.
“In addition, as part of our mass mobilization campaign, the department will launch its Operation Hlasela campaign at the Sirunu administrative area here in Elliotdale” added Marawu.
In honouring the memory of all those who lost their lives in this accident, MEC called upon the law enforcement agencies to continue to work together with their counterparts from the neighbouring provinces with a clear understanding of the special instructions which are as follows:
1. The requirements of active stopping and checking a minimum of 15 vehicles per officer per eight hour shift must be enforced by all participating authorities.
2. All traffic offences must be targeted, however, a special enforcement focus must be done on the wearing of seatbelts both, front and rear and would continue indefinitely so as to increase the wearing rate by 25%.
3. Vehicles travelling without number plates or permits must be vigorously prosecuted.
4. Special targeted alcohol enforcement exercises must be carried out by all authorities especially during weekends and public holidays, when abuse of alcohol is most common.
5. Speed measurement exercises must be targeted mainly before and in harzadous locations and these types of interventions must be policed smartly utilizing minimum manpower for maximum impact. These exercises must concentrate on reducing the speed rather than trapping motorists for funds generation.
MEC Marawu also commended the collaboration between various role players within government, including the Road Accident Fund (RAF), public transport operators and the community in an effort to ensure that these families are provided with the necessary support.
The department also announced that its road safety officials will conduct training in surrounding schools on various road safety school projects from the 14 – 18 May 2012 to cover the Sirunu administrative area.
