Government will stop at nothing to achieve a fatal free Easter and Festive season. This is according to the North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi during the road safety education and awareness campaign on the N12 Highway outside Potchefstroom.
The campaign was aimed at controlling the increasing post Easter traffic when holiday makers and school children return to their respective destinations.
According to MEC Maloyi the focus for this season was more on the vehicle and driver fitness and that the campaign should be carried throughout the year.
“We have realised that a high number of fatalities on provincial roads continues to be a challenge as drivers are either drunk or reckless and in some instances the vehicles they are driving are not roadworthy. Another factor is that the passengers do not fasten their seatbelts and when a collision occurs, the vehicles throws them out and end up losing their lives,” he said.
Maloyi said that such operations will continue throughout the year. The department has also launched a 24hour shift in Rustenburg and hope to extend it to Mahikeng, Tlokwe, Madibeng and Matlosana.
"I would like to applaud our traffic officers and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) for ensuring that the road rules are adhered to at all times. “Our plan for the Easter Holidays was successful. The unfortunate part is the number of pedestrians killed on our road.”
"The incidents calls on government to further strengthen its road safety campaign to rural and urban roads. We can’t sit back while our people are losing lives like that. The Ledig incident spoiled our plans, and all this is due to drunken driving and driver fatigue, the issues we always put emphasis on. We call on our Justice to strengthen its judgment when persecuting such defaulters,” said MEC Maloyi.
About 22 people were killed on the North West roads over the Easter period, which is five more people as compared to the previous year.
During the campaign MEC Nono Maloyi was accompanied by the National Transport Minister Ben Martins. Both the Minister and the MEC interacted with motorists and other road users by handing out promotional materials in a form of flyers, pamphlets that informed them on safety issues.
Minister Martins praised traffic officials and other law enforcement agencies who formed part of the campaign for their patriotic spirits, of making sure that lives are saved throughout the country and the province. He said that their work has taken their family time, yet they still continue to solder on.
During the operation, at least about 125 vehicles were stopped, 21 tickets amounting to R13 200 were issued for various offenses ranging from unroadworthy vehicle, expired permits and overloading. Two illegal immigrants were also arrested and several cars were impounded.
Enquiries:
Simon Lesolang Mmope, Acting Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 4826
Cell: 082 574 7621
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: smmope@nwpg.gov.za
