Under the theme “Resist Temptation”, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially launched the Provincial Easter Road Safety Campaign ahead of the Easter Weekend.
The launch highlighted that the season is characterized by high volumes of traffic as road users travel to various destinations to visit places of worship, families, and loved ones.
Speaking during the launch, Diale Tlabela said road safety is not an event, but a 365-day program beginning with an individual taking charge of their own safety and that of others.
“Road safety is not dependent on law enforcement, it is impossible for traffic police to manage every square meter of the road network,” she said.
This year’s campaign launch was inclusive of traffic law enforcement operations and prayer sessions, as part of creating awareness of dangers related to drunk and driving, speeding, driver fatigue, vehicle roadworthiness, pedestrian visibility as well as vandalism of road infrastructure.
“It is unfortunate that it has become a norm that at the end of each Easter weekend we can expect announcements of the report of more deaths, more devastation for families as we have as a country desensitized to the high number of people who lose their lives annually during Easter period,” added the MEC.
She said that the behavior of every road user was so important in saving lives. She called on Drivers, Pedestrians, and cyclists to take charge of their safety.
“There is absolutely no reason anyone should get behind the wheel of the vehicle when they are drunk, this is non-negotiable” Cautioned Diale-Tlabela.
Statistics suggest that human factor contributes to about 87% of fatalities on our roads, while the roads and Environmental factors contribute an estimated 8% with vehicle factors at 5%.
Diale-Tlabela emphasized that Roads are meant to be arteries that connect people to each other, build for links to economic growth between large cities and rural agricultural lands.
“We will be conducting operations throughout Easter weekend insuring that we stop those who ignore the rules of the road and working together with law enforcement we will deal with offenders, we will not play games with our people’s lives, hotspots for traffic crashes have been identified and will be monitored throughout, chance takers your days are numbers let’s take charge and Arrive Alive,” Diale-Tlabela concludes.
