Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has re-iterated that the behaviour and attitude of South African drivers is atrocious and this will only change through rigorous law enforcement.
“South Africans need to change their attitudes and mind-sets towards road safety. The attitude and behaviour of South African drivers is atrocious. We will only reduce the carnage on our roads if traffic offences become totally unacceptable to the people of our country. We must place more value on human life and exercise respect and democracy on our roads. It is only enforcement, enforcement and enforcement 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, that will change the behaviour and attitude of road users in our country and this is precisely what road users will encounter. The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO), to be implemented later this year, will also contribute significantly to reducing road crashes and deaths,” said the Minister.
Law enforcement officers were out in full force over the past weekend (8 to 10 January 2010) to ensure safety on the roads. Earlier today, 10 January, traffic volumes were recorded at more than 1 300 vehicles per hour on most national roads. Yesterday, 9 January 2009, traffic volumes peaked at more than 1 600 vehicles per hour and on Friday, 8 January, traffic volumes were recorded at more than 2 000 vehicles per hour.
From 1 December 2009 to 10 January 2010, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign:
* More than 789 000 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked across the country
* More than 295 000 motorists were fined for speeding
* 3 889 drunk drivers arrested
* 293 motorists arrested for reckless and negligent driving
* 3 102 un-roadworthy vehicles removed from the roads, including 1 634 buses and taxis
* Thousands of drivers also fined for non-wearing of seatbelts and other offences.
According to preliminary reports, 148 deaths, 36 drivers, 67 passengers and 45 pedestrians were recorded on South Africa’s roads as a result of 77 crashes between 1 and 9 January 2010.
Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. All road users are encouraged to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Issued by: Department of Transport
10 January 2010
