Transport minister warns road users to exercise caution after recent spate of crashes
JOBURG – The Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi, calls all South Africans to exercise caution on the roads this upcoming festive season. In addition, he has directed law enforcement officers to arrest all transgressors indiscriminately.
The Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi calls on all South Africans to exercise caution on the roads this upcoming festive season. In addition, he has directed law enforcement officers to arrest all transgressors indiscriminately.
Maswanganyi reminds South Africans that road safety for drivers and pedestrians alike is non-negotiable and it is everyone’s responsibility to behave appropriately on the road.
“Where road users fail to obey the rules of the road, there will be consequences,” said Maswanganyi.
Law enforcement officers have been directed to heighten the provisions of the Road Safety Strategy as approved by cabinet, which includes the implementation of a 24-hour shift for traffic officers to ensure high visibility and greater impact on the prevention of crashes and reduction of road fatalities.
Maswanganyi further warned that anti-corruption operations will be intensified to deal decisively with organised crime and corruption by law enforcement officers and driving schools that connive together to issue driver’s licences to undeserving candidates.
“Following the recent spate of road crashes that took place in different provinces of our country in the past few weeks, it is clear that there are some road users who are hell-bent to disobey the rules of the road regardless of our campaigns and messages sent in various platforms. We will continue to ensure that we hold all transgressors to account by implementing the Road Traffic Act.”
Maswanganyi added that the passing of the Aarto Bill by the National Assembly is another intervention to ensure that the necessary punitive measures are imposed on all transgressors. The Aarto Bill ensures that points are deducted from habitual offenders and they are finally removed from the road.
The Department of Transport says that they will continue to implement the 365 Days Road Safety Campaign declaring road safety as a daily commitment by all entities of the department working together with provincial and municipal authorities to intensify law enforcement.
Maswanganyi also extends his heartfelt condolences to all families and friends of those who recently died on the roads and wishes those in hospital a speedy recovery.
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