North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa says that his department has intensified its road safety awareness promotion to focus on speeding, drunken driving and pedestrian jay walking throughout the Easter long weekend.
Traditional leaders, emerging farmers, road safety councils and community policing forums throughout the province are part of the efforts to safe lives by reducing accidents on public roads and will be working closely with road safety officers from the department.
The provincial public safety department has appointed 40 road rangers to assist with the management of stray animals in ten villages across the province. The rangers are responsible for ensuring that stray animals are kept away from public roads in Phela, Tlokweng, Rampampastadt, Setlagole, Letlhakane, Disaneng, Taung, Pudumoe, Dryharts and Mokgareng.
Reflective belts and ear rings are also distributed to emerging farmers in the identified villages for visibility of stray animals at night. While road safety officers will be encouraging pedestrians to wear bright colours at night, they are will also distribute reflective arm bands to pedestrians and cyclists in an effort to reduce pedestrian jaywalking.
The officers will also conduct interactive road safety education to road users at malls, taverns, taxi ranks and multipurpose road blocks throughout the Easter long weekend particularly targeting areas identified as hazardous locations through an analysis of previous Easter/ December Arrive Alive Campaigns road accident reports.
MEC Yawa appeals to motorists to do pre-trip inspections on their vehicles before taking to the road, observe safe following distances, observe speed limits, rest every 200 kilometres to avoid fatigue, drive with headlights on and with caution particularly in the wet weather.
He urges road users to report reckless driving on the provincial public safety department’s toll free number, 0800 204 992 or alternatively SMS to 083 555 2893 as a contribution towards safer roads during Easter.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
