KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Willies Mchunu, has extended his warm welcome to the expected, increased number of visitors and tourists who will be arriving in the province this weekend.
It has become customary that an influx of visitors descend on KZN to attend the Durban July horse racing and fashion spectacle. This occasion helps to contribute to the impressive tourism industry growth year after year for both Ethekwini and the province. At the same time, it is a busy period on the provincial roads like other major calendar holidays, which hikes traffic patterns.
For example, on Friday, 8 July 2011, the day before the horse racing event, a total of 112 000 vehicles passed through, on both directions, the three toll plazas – Marianhill, Tongaat and Winklespruit. This compares to 117 200 vehicles last year, marking an increase of 5 200.
“Naturally, we expect that this year’s figure of vehicles passing through the last three toll gates before entering Ethekwini will rise,” said Mchunu.
“For this reason, we are excited about the growth in visitor numbers and traffic for all the good reasons. However, we are also conscious of the challenges such traffic volumes bring to bear on our roads. My special appeal to all road users, both drivers and passengers alike, is to exercise 360 degrees vigilance and curb bad behavior,” said Mchunu.
Mchunu added that the department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate has already escalated its patrols and come weekend, it will be ready to deal with any form of bad behaviour on the road. More than 900 traffic officers will be deployed to proactively tackle violations of traffic and road regulations as well as drinking and driving.
Traffic officers will also be visible especially at all major points of entry to Ethekwini throughout the busy weekend, conducting roadside checks, screening for drunken driving and speed timing.
“The KZN Department of Transport has made impressive strides, recording a 33.6 percent decrease in road fatalities since 2009, which we attribute mainly to our sustained “Operation Val’ingozi” campaign. We cannot falter now, but extend the gains already made. The ultimate responsibility is with all of us as self-respecting and law-abiding citizens to do everything right to safeguard the lives of all, and enjoy entertainment activities as presented by the Durban July,” said Mchunu.
Media contacts:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
Email: kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Nathi Sukazi:
Cell: 082 565 0205
Tel: 033 355 0043
Email: nathi.sukazi@kzntransport.gov.za
