Mbombela - Mpumalanga’s Community Safety, Security and Liaison Department has launched its road safety campaign ahead of the Easter weekend.
The Sekwanele Bopha/Easter Arrive Alive Campaign was launched on the N4 between Karino Mbombela on Tuesday afternoon.
“It has become our culture that during this time of the year we gather in order to tell the nation about the plans of the department pertaining to road safety and law enforcement on our roads in a bid to reduce accidents and fatalities,” said department MEC Vusi Shongwe.
He said the launch also serves as a platform to mobilise road users to work with the department to enhance road safety.
“To put matters into perspective, it should be noted that during the 2012 Easter Holidays accidents were reduced in Mpumalanga mainly due to enhanced visibility by law enforcement, zero tolerance to drivers driving unroadworthy vehicles, negligent or reckless driving and aggressive road safety education, among others.
“As we have begun this year’s Easter Holidays, special focus will be given to unroadworthy and excessively overloaded vehicles which include mini-busses and light delivery vehicles that will be towing trailers,” Shongwe said.
Shongwe warned that vehicles that were not designed to draw trailers would be removed from the road if found pulling trailers, whether homemade or self-modified.
“Once taken off the road, the owner will be liable for all the costs such as storage and towing charges if there is a need to move the vehicles from a certain point to another.
“Trailers that do not meet the South African National Standards will be stopped as soon as they enter this province. This is done not to target certain people but it is known that unroadworthy and overloaded trailers cause instability to the lead vehicle, hence greater chances of accidents associated with this category of vehicles,” he said.
The MEC said due to a high number of pedestrians who become injured on the road, law enforcement officials will also focus on pedestrian safety during the holidays.
He said most of the accidents that involved pedestrians were recorded on the R538, R573, R40 and N17 roads in the past.
“All our traffic officers will be on duty and none of them will be allowed to be on leave during this period; we will also mobilise the department of justice and constitutional development to speedily prosecute suspects violating traffic regulations in order to deter would-be road offenders.
“This, we believe, will send a strong message that the government can no longer tolerate irresponsible driving. We are therefore calling on road users and motorists in Mpumalanga and those who will be visiting the province to drive safely and observe traffic rules and regulations in order to avoid unnecessary accidents and loss of lives,” Shongwe said. – SAnews.gov.za
