Speaking from JMPD headquarters last Saturday, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety Sello Lemao said they will be working hard to keep the roads safe this Easter.
According to Lemao, public support and cooperation especially from motorists is key in the success of interventions to prevent and or reduce road fatalities and drowning.
“It is so important that the general public and motorists obey the rules of the road at all times, speeding is just not acceptable especially in wet conditions and driving without a safety belt.
“Accidents can happen at any time, to any person as witnessed by the sad passing away of Minister Collins Chabane and his bodyguards, so we will need public’s participation in all the areas around Soweto and the City as a whole.”
Lemao said that travelling should be a well planned, safe and calm journey with loved ones and not a rushed liquor fueled affair that ends in disaster.
“There is going to be greater police presence on the roads, on and off ramps, highways and around shopping malls.
“The use of cell phones whilst driving is also contributing to the increase in vehicle accidents and there are statistics to prove that and this practice is extremely dangerous.”
Lemao said their intention is to reduce road fatalities through breathalyzer tests, driver licence checks, vehicle roadworthiness and education.
“From January 2015 to date 753 arrests have been made for drunken driving, speeding and reckless driving.
“Emergency Services are usually stretched to the limit and there may be delays in getting to call outs,” he concluded.
