MEC Lebogang Motlhaping: Release of Preliminary Easter Road Safety Report provincial

Statement by MEC Lebogang Motlhaping on the occasion of the release of the Preliminary Easter Road Safety Report

Head of Department, Mr Moeketsi Dichaba,
Head of Ministry, Mr Kabelo Mohibidu,
Director for Transport Regulations, Mr Lesego Wolfe,
Law Enforcement officials,
Members of the media present,

Ladies and gentlemen

This day marks another set appointment following the recent gathering as we launched the Provincial Easter Road Safety Campaign on the R31 to Hortazel in Kuruman, John Taolo Gaetsewe District.  Today we reflect on the operations conducted during the Easter period as marked from 18 – 22 April 2019.  It is by well-known, that this period is has high traffic volumes as many people travel to various destinations across the country including holiday destinations, pilgrims and festivals.

Today, we have gathered here, as I will be presenting the Provincial preliminary reflections on the Province’s efforts and performance during the Easter period. 

Programme Director, allow me to first send my sincere condolences to families and friends of those who lost loved ones across the countries roads and also remember those we lost in the line of duty.  It goes without saying, that although we cannot begin to comprehend the amount of grief they may be experiencing, they remain in our prayers. 

We remain steadfast that one life lost, is one life too many and this notion is core to our operations and commitment towards creating safer roads, as road safety affects us all. 

To the Law Enforcement Officials, your continued sacrifices, dedication and passion for always being in the line of duty even when others spend their time with family, is honourable and commended.  

Ladies and gentlemen, our approach during the Easter Road Safety Campaign was to join hands with other  stakeholders and also aimed to reduce road crashes, fatalities and injuries on our roads.  As the period requires heightened operations, we ensured that we also strengthened our road safety education and law enforcement initiatives focusing on all road users including pedestrians, motorists, passengers and cyclists.  Our operations also focused on ensuring driver and vehicle fitness including fatigue management and alcohol awareness.  

Noting limitations with the provincial road traffic manpower, we were not deterred and continued to focus on our mandate and relied on intelligence driven operations to stay on the ball.   Our officials remained visible and conducted operations on all our major and arterial routes focusing on speeding and drunken driving.  We were also observant to areas and events where alcohol is consumed such as music festivals.   

We also had a multidisciplinary approach to our operations and manpower was enhanced by stakeholders such as the SAPS, Home Affairs, Nature conservation, SARS, RAF and our private stakeholders who in their own spaces continue to promote and practice road safety.  We acknowledge and appreciate all your efforts and contribution towards creating safer roads for all. 

I must say that our law enforcement received a generally good response from road users despite the few chancers on the roads which were dealt with accordingly. 

Reflections of the report

During our Easter operations period as dated from 18 -22 April 2019, we managed to stop and search 5 246 vehicles and issued 365 summonses for various offences such as overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic, speeding and impounded 63 public transport vehicles.

1 160 drivers were scanned for alcohol and resulted in two drunken driving arrests while 4 more arrests were made with 1 being for possession of dagga and 3 for possession of fraudulent operating permits. 

Speeding persists to be a problem with 139 summonses issued and it is one of our leading contributing factors to road fatalities.  Our highest speed recorded were on the N1 to Richmond with 172Km in a 120km zone and 145Km in a 100Km zone. 

The Province recorded 3 fatal crashes that claimed 4 lives during the period.  This is a notable reduction compared to 16 fatalities in 2018.   Despite reduction of fatalities recorded during the period, we remain adamant with the vision to save all lives on the road and we will continue to work towards the realization of this goal.  

A breakdown of the fatalities indicate that two of the fatalities occurred in Pella Swartkoppies, one in Van der Kloof R48 and another in Witdraai on the R360.  One will also note that the fatalities did not occur on any of the identified problematic routes of the Province such as the R31 and N14, but occurred in the remote areas of the Province. 

 Programme Director, it is critical that I highlight that human behavior persists as a major contributing factor to road fatalities with male drivers contributing to most of the fatalities. Drunken driving, speeding as previously mentioned, moving violations, vehicle fitness and fatigue are amongst the most critical contributing factors identified during the campaign. 

As I draw close to my conclusion, allow me to reiterate the statement that Road Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility and we should therefore all continue to take personal responsibility on the roads and be considerate of others.  It is critical that Road Safety continues to be a 365 Days Programme of each and every road user. 

Let us be mindful that the decisions we take on the roads  can affect others and impact on the lives and livelihoods of many families by not only losing loved ones but also impacting household incomes and stability. 

Let us put our children first and prioritise their safety by ensuring they are buckled up on all journeys as other passengers, so they can have an equal opportunity to life and safety should anything happen on the roads.  With that said,  Let us all “Arrive Alive” and use the roads with caution and consideration of all others on the roads.    

I thank you.  

Province
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