4 September 2007
Tshwane: The Department of Transport has learned with shock of the untimely
passing of Gift Leremi, one of South Africa's talented soccer stars and a key
player of Mamelodi Sundowns, as a result of a car accident.
The department is very concerned about the high number of crashes and the
resultant fatalities experienced lately on our roads. Recently a taxi carrying
passengers collided with a truck, killing occupants on the N4 highway in
Mpumalanga. A series of other crashes resulting in the loss of lives have also
been reported in all provinces. Public passenger transport will receive
priority attention to address issues of both driver and vehicle safety.
Our condolences go to the Leremi, the many other families their friends and
relatives who have lost their loved ones due to road accidents.
The department's 'Arrive Alive' campaign advises motorists to take heed of
the following safety precautions:
* Seat belts: Always buckle up (both front and back seat passengers).
Wearing a seatbelt will reduce the severity of injuries by up to 40%.
* Headlights: Switch on your headlights even during the day, to make you
visible to other motorists and pedestrians.
* Windshield wipers: Make sure the windshield wiper blades are in good
condition.
* Tyres. Make sure you have enough tread on your tyres.
* Lights and reflectors. Make sure the lights and reflectors are clean. Lights
and reflectors are especially important during bad weather.
* Adjust turning and braking to conditions. Make turns as gentle as possible.
Don't brake any harder than necessary.
* Adjust speed to conditions. Don't pass slower vehicles unless necessary. Go
slow and watch far enough ahead to keep a steady speed. Avoid having to slow
down and speed up. Take curves at slower speeds and don't brake while
negotiating curves.
* Adjust space to conditions. Don't drive alongside other vehicles. Keep a
longer following distance. When you see a traffic jam ahead, slow down or stop
to wait for it to clear. Try hard to anticipate stops early and slow down
gradually.
Road accidents can be avoided and many lives can be saved. Road safety is no
accident and let us 'All Arrive Alive!'
Media Contact:
Ntau Letebele
Cell: 082 923 9194
Sam Monareng
Cell: 083 326 1521
Issued by: Department of Transport
4 September 2007
Source: SAPA
