More than 600 000 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked across the country from 1 to 31 December 2009, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety campaign.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said that no less than one million vehicles and drivers will be stopped and checked between December and January, during the launch of the campaign on 6 December 2009.
According to preliminary reports, 1 050 deaths (276 drivers, 419 passengers and 355 pedestrians) were recorded on South Africa’s roads between 1 and 31 December 2009. Speed has been reported as a major contributory factor to these crashes. For the same period during 2008 (1 to 31 December 2008), 1 348 deaths were recorded on the country's roads.
Minister Ndebele has re-iterated that road deaths are more than mere statistics.
“Road deaths are more than mere statistics. These are the lives of human beings, the lives of mothers, fathers and children. One death on our road is one death too many.
“Road safety is no accident. We cannot continue to lose approximately 14 000 lives on our roads every year costing billions of rands. We must win this battle against road deaths. Together, we can win this battle against road deaths.
“The thousands of arrests and fines since 1 December, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety campaign, is a clear indication that government is, indeed, serious about ENFORCEMENT, ENFORCEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT. Our zero tolerance approach towards all traffic offences will certainly be intensified beyond the festive season as part of government’s strategy to address the carnage on the roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
“We therefore urge all South Africans to make road safety part of their New Year resolutions or risk losing their driving licence this year. The introduction of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) this year will enhance a culture of compliance through the points demerit system and those who continue to disregard the law will forfeit their driving licence. Obey the law or pay the price,” said the Minister.
Between 1 and 31 December 2009, more than 285 000 motorists were fined for speeding, 3 487 drunk drivers arrested, 244 motorists arrested for reckless and negligent driving, 2 517 vehicles that are not road worthy removed from the roads, including 1 209 buses and taxis and thousands of drivers also fined for not wearing seatbelts and other offences.
Traffic volumes are expected to increase over the next few days as several people return home and resume work. Law enforcement officers will continue to be out in full force to ensure safety on the roads.
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
2 January 2010
