Eastern Cape MEC for Transport Thandiswa Marawu has called upon all traffic law enforcement agencies in the province to seriously consider the introduction of the Woza Re-test project in the province to ensure that all drivers that hold licenses and drive on public roads are competent and safe.
MEC Marawu was addressing an emotionally charged mass memorial service held by the Department of Transport for the 10 victims of the Stutterheim road accident victims at the Stutterheim Circus Sports Ground on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.
The accident happened on the R346 between King William’s Town and Stutterheim when a Quantum which was carrying school kids from Stutterheim to Kubusi Village collided with an Avanza that was coming from King William’s Town to Stutterheim leaving amongst the dead, 3 school kids, a nine month and four year old and five adults.
“The Woza Re-test project is currently being piloted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation but has not yet been introduced in the Eastern Cape,” said MEC Marawu.
Given the high incidents of dangerous driving leading to serious casualties in the country, especially in this province, the Road Traffic Management Corporation has given a go ahead to provinces to roll out this innovative and precautionary safety programme which will serve as both education and rehabilitation for convicted traffic offenders.
This project is in line with Section 25(1) and 25(2) of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) (1996) as amended, where every convicted driver found guilty of any of the arrestable traffic offences listed below may be subjected to both Section 25(1)(b) and Section 25(2) of the NRTA.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances with narcotic effects (Section 65)
- Reckless, negligent and/or inconsiderate driving (Section 63)
- Excessive speeding i.e. exceeding the 30 km/h threshold in built-up areas and 40 km/h on freeways. (Section 59)
The intention of this programme, therefore, is to suspend the driving licence of any driver who has been found guilty by a court of law, of one or more of the above offences, dating back from 1 January 2012, pending the outcome of a re-test of both, their learners and driving licenses, as per Section 25 of the NRTA.
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