Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has called for a partnership between the Department of Transport and the Labour Federation in order to enforce the eight working hours per day rule for public transport drivers.
The minister’s call follows yet another horrific road crash involving a bus near Umtata in the Eastern Cape yesterday, 19 December, where 10 people were reported killed after the driver of the bus lost control and crashed into a tavern. According to preliminary reports, fatigue may have been a contributory factor to this crash.
“We wish to convey our condolences to the families of all those killed in this bus crash near Umtata yesterday as well as the families of all those killed in road crashes since the start of the December holidays. We wish those injured a speedy recovery.
“According to preliminary reports, fatigue may have been a contributory factor to the bus crash near Umtata yesterday, where 10 people were killed. We are therefore calling for a partnership between the Department of Transport and the labour federation in order to ensure that the eight working hours per day rule, as per the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, is strictly enforced for drivers of public transport vehicles, particularly buses and taxis.
“Public transport drivers cannot be allowed to work more than eight hours. Public transport drivers must refuse to work more than eight hours. We cannot have drivers of public transport vehicles, especially buses and taxis, driving hundreds of kilometres for several hours without a relief driver on board, when fatigue is a major contributory factor to road crashes.
“Law enforcement officers are able to test for vehicle roadworthiness, drinking and driving as well as the use of drugs. The only thing that they are really unable to test for is fatigue. Fatigue is left up to the conscience of drivers and operators.
“No commercial plane, no matter how small, how short the distance or how few the number of passengers on board, is allowed to travel without a co-pilot. Why should land transport be any different?
“We want to repeat our calls to public transport operators not to put profit above the lives of commuters and not to risk the lives of innocent commuters,” the minister said.
The minister has also re-iterated that bakkies were never primarily designed for the conveyance of passengers, following another crash involving a bakkie near De Doorns in the Western Cape yesterday, 19 December where it was reported that seven people, including six children, were killed.
“Law enforcement on bakkies carrying passengers will be intensified,” said the Minister.
Meanwhile, since 1 December, law enforcement officers have stopped and checked more than 400 000 vehicles and drivers on South Africa’s roads. No less than one million vehicles and drivers will be stopped between December and January, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety campaign.
On Friday, (18 December) evening, 62 motorists were arrested for drinking and driving in road blocks in Soweto, Randburg and Johannesburg central in Gauteng. Since 1 December, more than 2 250 drunk drivers have been arrested around the country. More than 100 motorists have been arrested for reckless and negligent driving. More than 200 buses and 150 taxis have been removed from the roads and more than 500 other un-roadworthy vehicles suspended. Thousands of motorists were also fined for speeding, not wearing seatbelts and other offences.
Minister Ndebele has welcomed these arrests and warned motorists that traffic law enforcement will be stepped up.
Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. All road users are encouraged to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
Issued by: Department of Transport
20 December 2009
