Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele wishes to encourage motorists travelling during the Easter weekend to continue to exercise caution, remain calm and maintain cool heads as they travel from one place to another.
The department of Transport is encouraged by the preliminary reports we have so far received regarding the state of affairs on the roads.
While we note and regret the reported crashes, some fatal, so far, we believe that in the main motorists have heeded our call to be vigilant on the roads and cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives during the crashes that have been reported so far and wish those injured a speedy recovery.
"We have always maintained that it's just a few individuals who are still pulling in the opposite direction on our roads. Of the 8 million odd registered drivers in South Africa, a majority understand the need to obey all the rules of the road without exception at all times, says Minister Ndebele.
We shall not lose patience with the motorists who are yet to fully understand and eternalise the dangers of reckless and negligent driving.
We call on all motorists to be model drivers and ambassadors of road safety.
We call on every motorist to take personal responsibility for what their vehicle does on the road. It's only if we adopt this kind of attitude that we will overcome the battle against road carnage.
By late Friday afternoon, traffic volumes were reported to be subsiding in the country's major routes, particularly the N1, N3 and N4 as many people reached their destinations.
As the weekend begins, law enforcement agencies will now also intensify operations within towns and residential areas where people will be celebrating the Easter festivities to police transgressions such as drinking and driving. They will also start preparing for return journeys starting Sunday.
"I have instructed our officials to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards motorists who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
People found to be over the legal limit should be arrested immediately. We cannot allow a few ill-disciplined individuals to spoil the festive mood that's supposed to prevail during this period. My directive to our officers is that they must test alcohol levels of the driver of every car they stop, says Minister Ndebele.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has thus far reported that about 250 vehicles were taken off the road during operations countrywide.
Minister Ndebele congratulates the RTMC, other law enforcement officers at all spheres of government, including the South African Police Services (SAPS), and Community Road Safety Councils for their good work so far. He has encouraged them to remain steadfast in their determination to make our roads safer.
For more information contact:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
