East London - Traffic authorities in the Eastern Cape have launched an ambitious campaign aimed changing people's perception on road safety and traffic law enforcement.
Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu launched Operation Asihleki (not laughing) in Mthatha on Friday.
He said changing people's perceptions would hopefully lead to a decrease in the number of accidents on the province's roads.
"The Department of Transport wants to create a culture of responsibility, selfless commitment to society and create a good road safety record on our roads to attract tourists," said Marawu.
He added that the campaign formed part of a commitment the department had made to the people of the Eastern Cape last month, when 2011 was declared the Year of Intensified Road Safety Activities in the province.
The campaign is also designed to strengthen the implementation of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP).
As part of the NREP, Eastern Cape authorities are expected to stop and screen over 8 500 vehicles every month. Traffic authorities have already removed a number of minibus taxis and buses from the province's roads since last October.
The MEC acknowledged that passenger vehicle accidents would continue to be a problem until the quality of public transport in the province was improved.
East London motorist Thembani Harmans applauded the department on the work they had done so far to keep the roads safe.
"I hope the operation works so that we can feel safe on our roads. I would like to see the high death toll on our roads decrease," said Harmans.
