Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has called on South Africans to be part of the solution to save lives on the roads as we enter the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020, to be officially launched world-wide on 11 May 2011.
“We want to convey condolences to the families of those killed in road crashes during Easter and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Deaths and injuries on our roads are preventable - YOU can help stop it! Together, we can save lives on our roads. Through the Arrive Alive - Make Roads Safe campaign, government is progressing well towards a unified, consistent and harmonised approach to road safety in order to make a meaningful impact on road crashes and deaths 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This is in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020, to be officially launched world-wide on 11 May 2011. However, road safety is not only government's responsibility; road safety is everybody's responsibility. We therefore call upon South Africans to be part of the solution. A culture of voluntary compliance to all road rules must be embraced. Let us join the rest of the world and go all out to make our roads safe, “said Minister Ndebele.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), preliminary reports indicate at least 203 people were killed on the country's roads during the Easter weekend (22 to 25 April 2011). This period was characterised by heavy traffic volumes along all major arterial routes. Yesterday afternoon (27 April) between 13h00 and 14h00, 1 889 vehicles per hour were heading North pass the Mooi River Toll, 1 803 vehicles at the Tugela Toll, 1 364 vehicles pass the Wilge Toll, 1 215 vehicles at the Dehoek Toll and 1 285 vehicles pass the Marianhill Toll. Roads are also expected to be busy during the coming long weekend (29 April to 2 May), due to Workers Day. Law Enforcement Officers will continue to be out in full force in accordance with the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP).
From 18 to 25 April 2011, thousands of motorists were fined for various traffic violations with more than 1 016 arrests for offences including drinking and driving, reckless and/or negligent driving as well as invalid or fraudulent public transport documentation.
From 1 October 2010 to 31 March 2011, over 7,5 million (7 548 944) vehicles and drivers have been checked, 3,2 million (3 211 862) fines issued for various traffic offences, 12 344 drunk drivers arrested and 30 824 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Minister Ndebele on Easter 2011 road deaths
