Campaign by Mr Jeff Radebe, (MP), Minister of Transport, at Joostenberg
Weighbridge, Western Cape
9 April 2006
MEC of Transport and Public Works: Marius Fransman,
MEC for Community Safety: Leonard Ramatlakane,
Heads of government departments present,
Members of the traffic police,
Representatives of BMW (SA),
Representatives of bus and taxi industryâ
CEO of RMTC,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we enter our Easter holiday season, our roads are characterised by huge
traffic volumes in all corners of the country. This situation is compounded by
the ever increasing vehicle and driver population. The unintended results are
the traffic jams and delays we experience on our roads.
Last year alone more than 12 000 lives were lost on our roads and the
estimated cost of traffic crashes to individuals and the country is in the
region of R38 billion annually. South Africa is a developing country that
cannot afford to spend this amount of money on road trauma when pressing
challenges in health, education, housing and social welfare are calling for
greater attention. It is therefore a serious call that our law enforcement
agencies will leave no stone unturned when dealing with unruly and
irresponsible road behaviour.
The challenges that we face during this period is that most motorists
continue to disregard the law by driving un-roadworthy vehicles, driving under
the influence of alcohol, unsafe overtaking, skipping red traffic lights and
ignoring stop signs and over speeding. In most instances Easter holidays are
turned into holidays of moaning and burial instead of church services and
celebrations because of reckless behaviour on our roads.
We are gathered here to witness the launch of the Safer Easter Holiday
Season as part of the Arrive Alive Campaign. The timing of this event is most
opportune as tomorrow coastal schools are re-opening. Those returning back
should at all times exercise extreme caution due to possible delays as we
intensify our enforcement operations.
The launch of the safer Easter holiday programme today is about educating
all citizens to deal with these challenges and reduce the carnage on our roads
including the stretch of the N1 road between Cape Town and Beaufort West and
Aberdeen (R61). This stretch is notoriously known for the occurrence of road
crashes and fatalities.
The success of implementing this programme will be enhanced by the
co-operation between the Department of Community Safety and the Metro Police in
conjunction with the private sector. The donation of six vehicles by BMW (South
Africa) to this programme comes at a time when the safer Easter holiday
programme desperately needs this kind of assistance. This will indeed augment
our already over stretched resources. We say thank you BMW (SA).
In February this year two bus crashes occurred between Beaufort West and
Aberdeen and another on the N7 killing two school children. High speed on bad
roads, bad weather conditions, fatigue, negligence and inconsiderate driver
behaviour as well as vehicle and driver fitness are often quoted as major
causes of accidents. This trend is common among most long distance bus and mini
bus taxi drivers. Those carrying passengers it is important to always put the
value of the lives of people above anything else. Chasing profits and taking
short cuts cannot be at the expense of human lives.
As government we are intervening through a number of initiatives in support
of arrive alive. On Thursday I launched âOperation Emisaâ in Mantsole
Weighbridge in Limpopo to emphasis the importance of stopping reckless and
negligent driving. We say to law enforcement officers they must âstopâ drivers
to check the legality of both the vehicle and the driver.
I am happy to support your provincial programme on safer Easter holiday
which concentrates on long distance taxis and bus interchanges. This is going
to take within reasonable distance and radius from Cape Town and the
weighbridges where stop and checks will be conducted. Should overloading
especially of passengers, un-roadworthy vehicle and other law breaking acts be
identified the full might of the law will take its course.
The safer holiday programme 2006 is also designated to strengthen and
consolidate the existing relationship with communities to continue and built
social capital and promote social cohesion in defeating the road carnage.
Through this programme municipalities will be encouraged to support communities
and law enforcement agencies to mobilise more volunteers to fight the scourge
of road crashes.
The programme is informed by the observation that during the Easter weekend
most families and workers are on holiday and commute from one point to another
visiting families, friends or breakaway weekends. During the Easter weekend the
number of people using public transport as well as road traffic increases
enormously. Associated with this is the increase in the consumption of alcohol
during this period. This calls on law enforcement authorities to be more
vigilant on complimentary projects such as responsible drinking, safety on
trains and community based activities focusing on road safety and social crime
prevention.
I would like to applaud this province for the safety projects that it has
embarked on. These include the reflective band project; road safety inter-faith
programme, share the road responsibly and respect life; communication at local
taxi ranks and others all geared to reduce the road carnage.
The communication at local taxi ranks project latches onto the initiative to
address long distance passenger transport at identified ranks over the Easter
festive period.
Five additional taxi ranks were identified where the safer Easter public
transport strategy needs to be promulgated in order to ensure that the message
reaches drivers, operators and long distance commuters namely:
* Cape Town Station Deck
* Bellville Taxi Rank
* Khayamandi Taxi Rank
* Mbekweni Taxi Rank
* Mitchellâs Plain Taxi Rank
Until we all take responsibility for our actions on the roads, until we
understand that traffic infringement is a serious offence we are unlikely to
achieve any serious headway in curbing road deaths. Every traffic violation can
constitute a potentially life threatening situation. It is thus every
motoristâs responsibility to:
* Adhere to prescribed speed limits;
* Wear seatbelts as this saves more lives;
* Not to drink and drive; and
* Rest as fatigue is a silent killer!
Let me also emphasise that the establishment of the Road Traffic Management
Corporation (RTMC) in August last year is an encouraging development to the
reduction of road accidents. The RTMC is responsible for functions that include
information collection; enforcement co-ordination; information systems; road
safety audits; road safety education and training of traffic officers. As it
gains momentum we hope to get a better understanding on the levers of
coordination between the three spheres of government.
My simple message to fellow South Africans is to always remember that the
primary responsibility for safety on our roads lies with them. If their
behaviour is such that they obey traffic rules we know as government that half
our battle will be won.
We are in this together! Buckle up and letâs all arrive alive!
Ndiyabulela!
Issued by: Department of Transport
9 April 2006
