Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe supports the call made by the National Transport Deputy Minister, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga that road accidents in the province must be reduced by at least five percent.
Chikunga made the call during the Think Pedestrian Safety Campaign launch held in Phola Park next to the Moloto Road’s R573 near KwaMhlanga on Friday. The road has been identified as one of the roads with the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the province.
The campaign was initiated by the National Department of Transport after it was discovered that at least 46 percent of people who die on the roads are pedestrians. Mpumalanga province is the first among three provinces identified to pilot the campaign.
With sponsorship by EQSTRA, a fleet management company, the accident zone road also known as Thandabantu was upgraded from a two way stop to a four way stop and speed ramps were also built in order to reduce accidents.
In her address, Chikunga said that there is still more to be done on other parts of the Moloto Road which is also known as the ‘killer road’ that have a high fatality rate by demarcating with road markings to reduce pedestrian deaths.
She called on the department to ensure that road accidents, especially pedestrian fatalities are reduced by at least a minimum of five percent. Chikunga has also called for the cancellation of driving licenses of those found guilty of drunk driving as they contribute to most accidents.
“We cannot rest until we have completely dealt with the increasing number of road fatalities. We must deal with drunk and driving. We also need to instill a positive attitude and behavioral change of all road users by means of increased Law Enforcement, awareness campaigns and low cost engineering,” said Chikunga.
She added that the department must ensure that Road Safety Councils are employed in all communities to assist in educating about road safety to community members.
Chikunga later thanked the province for positively contributing to the national crime statistics by reducing crime in the province in the 2011/12 financial year.
Meanwhile, MEC Vusi Shongwe said that he supported the call made by the Deputy Minister to reduce accidents by 5 percent in the province.
“With the joint operations with South African Police Service and other departments, we will deal with these road carnages. We will not rest until we have dealt with accidents and crime in the province,” said Shongwe.
He called on the Liquor Board to assist the department to deal with taverns built next to schools, churches and public roads.
Shongwe said also that taverns built next to roads were contributing to accidents as some pedestrians are killed by cars on their way from the taverns.
He added that during the festive season, drivers who disobey the law must be warned as the police and traffic officers will harshly deal with those who will break the law.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
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Tel: 013 766 4055
