Ngomane appeals to road users to reduce Easter road crashes

According to the Department of Community Safety Security and Liaison (DCSSL), this was a reduction of 30 per cent as compared to the same period in 2017.

Furthermore, 40 road fatal crashes occurred in 2018 while in 2017 there were 30 fatal crashes and this represents an increase of 25 per cent.

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, MEC Pat Ngomane says it is possible for the province to continue reducing death and injury on the road if all the stakeholders work together and road users also behave.

He explained that the government will ensure that there is increased law enforcement visibility, roadblocks and road safety education initiatives will be implemented on all major roads across the province.

“The department will also conduct random stop searches, road safety awareness campaigns, and 24/7 concerted 30km block patrols on identified major routes. Attention will also be paid to roadworthiness of vehicles, driver fitness and overloading especially of vehicles travelling to the various ports of entry. Block patrols and other roadblocks with a specific focus on vehicle and driver fitness will be implemented throughout the Easter period,” said Ngomane in a statement.

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The department said it will further implement alcohol operations that will target those who will take to the road while they are intoxicated.

“Rest Stops will also be conducted with a specific focus on long-distance drivers. The operations will focus on identified priority roads which are the routes that have contributed to most crashes and fatalities experienced during the previous holiday periods,” said Ngomane.

MEC Ngomane says while the government will be implementing various programmes to mitigate causes of crashes as a result of increased traffic volumes, road users should also come to the party and assist in reducing needless death and injury on the road.

Vehicle owners and public transport owners have also been called upon to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, properly licensed and that those who will be driving also have valid documents to be on the road. Traffic law enforcers, according to Ngomane, will not show any leniency to those who violate the law while on the road.

“While the law enforcers will be hard at work to ensure that all people arrive safely at their destinations. We are also reminding road users that they also have a responsibility towards their own safety. We are therefore appealing to motorists to obey the road rules and also use the road with due diligence and heightened vigilance so that the number of crashes is drastically brought down,” the MEC said.

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Ngomane has reiterated his call to law enforcement officers to implement the law without fear or favour and also arrest those who may offer them bribes while they are carrying out their duties during these holidays and beyond.

The MEC and SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Mondli Zuma will also visit various operations across the province including ports of entry such as Lebombo and Oshoek linking the country with Mozambique and Swaziland respectively