Minister calls for road safety

The Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi, is calling on motorists and pedestrians to be cautious when using the roads this festive season.

The minister was speaking in relation to the recent spate of road crashes that took place in different provinces of our country in the past few weeks.

“It is clear there are some road users who are hell-bent on disobeying the rules of the road regardless of our campaigns and messages sent via various platforms.

“We will continue to ensure we hold all transgressors to account by implementing the Road Traffic Act,” he says.

Maswanganyi says road safety is not negotiable and it is everyone’s responsibility to behave appropriately.

“The festive season is characterised by high volumes of fatal road crashes so we encourage the law enforcement officers to arrest all transgressors indiscriminately this festive season.

“They must heighten the provisions of the Road Safety Strategy as approved by Cabinet.

“This includes the implementation of the 24-hour shift for traffic officers to ensure high visibility and greater impact on the prevention of crashes and a reduction of fatalities.

“Where road users fail to obey the rules of the road, there will be consequences,” he warns.

Minister Maswanganyi warned that anti- corruption operations will also be intensified to deal with organised crime and corruption by law enforcement officers.

“The program will also focus on driving schools that connive together to issue drivers’ licences to undeserving candidates.

“Some of these schools are the root of the carnage we continue to observe on the road,” he says.

The minister says the passing of the Aarto Bill by the National Assembly is yet another intervention that will ensure necessary punitive measures are imposed on all traffic law transgressors.

“The point demerit system as a major attribute of the Aarto Bill, will ensure that points are deducted from habitual offenders and that offenders are finally removed from our roads,” he says.