Road traffic law enforcement authorities should be firm and stamp their authority against speeding, drunken driving, overloading and unroadworthy vehicles during this festive season, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono said in issuing marching orders to traffic officers at the launch of the Arrive Alive Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District held in Potchefstroom on Monday.
MEC Mohono said that no child should become an orphan, or a woman widowed because traffic officers neglected road traffic law enforcement on any part of the road network.
“We count on you to ensure that no unroadworthy vehicle will cause any loss of lives and that no drunken driver will drive on our roads at any given time of the day or night during this festive period” emphasised MEC Mohono.
In calling for increased visibility, she said that irresponsible road users should find traffic law enforcement officers at awkward times on roads they least expect to find them demanding nothing but compliance with road traffic law and taking unapologetic harsh action against those found to be in violation, said Mohono in reading the riot act to motorists who will be driving along the N12 and roads across Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
She urged officers to refuse offers of bribes from road users caught on wrong side of the law. “They will attempt to entice you while you are on duty and you should view such offers not only as an insult to your integrity but to the uniform and badge that you are wearing. Accepting such bribes will not only jeopardize your careers but will also bring shame on all of us,” said Mohono.
The MEC was part of the roadblock that issued summonses to 23 motorists travelling along the N12 within 30 minutes for various offenses ranging from drivers failing to produce driver’s licenses, unlicensed vehicles and learner drivers driving on public roads without supervision.
A woman road user, Christille Mooi, who travels from Johannesburg to Klerksdorp on a weekly basis gave the campaign thumbs-up.
Mooi said the campaign will contribute towards reducing road deaths and with concerted effort the national goal of reduce crash fatalities by half by 2015.
The National Rolling Enforcement Plan as part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety is targeting reduction of road fatalities by 50% annually for the next five years in order to save 27 715 lives and reduction of about 15 000 disabling injuries over the next five year period.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0140
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
Email: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
