The North West Department of Public Safety is to embark on a month long zero tolerance traffic law enforcement operation dubbed "operation moretlwa-die poppe sal dans" in an effort to reduce accidents on the road between Lichtenburg and Mafikeng. The operation which starts on Friday (28 August 2009) is in response to a public outcry for intensified law enforcement targeted at reckless and inconsiderate drivers on the road.
According to the MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa, an analysis of accidents reports suggest that driver behaviour contributed to 99 percent of the fatalities and accidents on the road considered a killer road for the past three to four years. Between April and June this year, 35 accidents occurred on the road resulting in 12 fatalities, 29 serious and 23 slight injuries to road users. The department has observed that 32 percent of the accidents occurred on a Friday.
"A zero tolerance will be applied throughout the operation to be carried out through visible patrols that will be intensified after 18h00, road blocks, speed, moving violations and road side inspection. No admission of guilt fines will be issued to reckless and inconsiderate drivers during the operation instead, dockets will be opened for the culprits to be charged and appear in court. The operation will focus on driver fitness, vehicle fitness, barrier line infringement and speed in order to ensure that road users share the road responsibly. The total disregard of following distances and speed still account for unacceptable and unnecessary loss of life on our roads," says MEC Yawa.
Traffic law enforcement officers from the Department of Public Safety provincial traffic, Ditsobotla and Mafikeng Local Municipalities will be involved in the operation that is also supported by the South African Police Service.
The Department of Public Safety had received a memorandum proposing intensified patrols on the road from South African Ministers Fraternal (SAMIFRA) during the road safety prayer and cleansing ceremony held on the 7 July 2009.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
25 August 2009
