A festive message from Minister of Transport

Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi writes a safety message to all motorists and pedestrians:

The festive season always places added responsibility on traffic authorities who have the mammoth task of ensuring that people comply with the rules of the road and facilitate a seamless flow of traffic.

The country’s national routes such as the N1, N2, N3 and N4 experience an increase in the number of vehicles travelling towards various destinations.

Although we have taken a decision to ensure that we make road safety a 365-day business, it is inevitable that we double our efforts when we approach the festive season.

This is due to the obvious fact that there is a remarkable rise in traffic volumes. The National Traffic Police located within the Road Traffic Management Corporation is in partnership with provincial and municipal traffic authorities and the South African Police Service to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the risk of crashes on our roads.

They do their work despite hostility from uncooperative motorists at times with one primary objective in mind which is to save people’s lives.

The carnage we continue to experience on our roads is instigated by a number of factors mostly embedded in human behavior and vehicle factor.

Road safety, first and foremost, is an individual road user’s responsibility. Once this notion is lost on any road user – motorists, passengers and pedestrians alike, the battle against road carnage is undermined.

Our traffic law enforcement officers will continue to conduct more roadblocks throughout the country during this festive season.

Of particular interest, our law enforcement operations will target the enforcement of legislation of wearing seatbelts, using cellphones while driving, unroadworthy vehicles, clamping down on drunken driving, excessive speeding and other road violations.

It is a universally accepted fact that conspicuous patrol of highways, streets and public places by uniformed officers in conspicuously marked vehicles is the best means available for the prevention of road traffic violations.

I urge all motorists to:

•    Drive at a safe speed and always observe the speed limit
•    Always wear your seatbelt and ensure that passengers do the same
•    Do not drink and drive
•    Drive behind other vehicles at a safe distance
•    Do not use a cellphone while driving
•    Overtake another care with care.
•    Take regular breaks – at least every two hours
•    Before you drive a vehicle ensure the vehicle is properly licensed and has a valid insurance policy
•    Ensure your driver’s license is appropriate and valid.

I urge pedestrians to:

•    Always cross the road at designated pedestrian or zebra crossings
•    Always use footpaths where available
•    Do not cross at bends in the road where you cannot see oncoming vehicles
•    If you are walking in a group, walk in single file facing oncoming traffic
•    When crossing the road, be attentive and on the lookout for oncoming vehicles.

Details: For more safety tips for the holiday season, visit the Arrive Alive website on www.arrivealive.co.za