Minister urges safety on the roads
"We are calling on them to abide by the rules of the road and be at the forefront of change".
The minister of transport, Joe Maswanganyi, says statistics indicate that most people who die on the roads are young people aged between 20 and 34.
He was speaking during the launch of the road safety campaign in Bela-Bela on Tuesday.
Maswanganyi says due to their energy and militancy, young people are always at the forefront of change.
“We are calling on them to abide by the rules of the road and be at the forefront of change.
“We should, as leaders of society, allow space for these young people, through their organised formations, to play a role in addressing the scourge of road deaths that so badly affects them.
“The department, in partnership with the South African National Taxi Council and the Department of Health, launched the Hlokomela-Phila campaign last week.
“The campaign endeavours to intensify health and wellness within the taxi industry, where operators, drivers, commuters, hawkers and many other key players will be offered HIV testing services, screening for TB and non-communicable diseases,” he says.
Maswanganyi says stakeholders in this sector will be able to test for diabetes and hypertension throughout taxi ranks and transport hubs around the country.
“I have no doubt that we shall emerge from this festive season firmer and more resolute in our determination to turn the tide against the carnage on our roads.
“I call upon all of us to roll up our sleeves and place our shoulders to the wheel in the coming six weeks to make this year’s festive season a different and memorable one,” says Maswanganyi.
He says the government has partnered with community safety councils in every province to bolster its efforts to reduce road crashes this festive season.
Maswangani says road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“Ours is to empower communities as masters and shapers of their own destiny to identify local road safety challenges.
“Our people know better, as they are the ones who must deal with these daily.
“Road safety challenges are societal problems and we need to collaborate and work closely with our provinces, municipalities and communities if we are to win this battle,” he says.
