The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport says it is ramping up road safety interventions through stronger enforcement of existing legislation, adoption of technology and stricter compliance with the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) and National Land Transport Act (NLTA).
This comes after 12 learners died while they were being transported to school in a Toyota Quantum on Monday morning when the vehicle collided with a truck in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal, Gauteng.
“We will not compromise when it comes to the safety of our children. Any scholar transport operator who puts learners at risk will face serious consequences,” MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said on Tuesday.
As Gauteng's road traffic law and safety authority, the department is building its internal legal capacity and creating an updated online repository of road traffic regulations, so road users know their rights and responsibilities.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Government will enforce the laws; however parents, operators, drivers, and pedestrians must also play their part in ensuring that everyone is safe and arrives alive,” Diale-Tlabela said.
Government has encouraged parents, learners and motorists to report reckless driving, unsafe behaviour, and unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles through lawful channels (012 999 5407/086 140 0800).
Where feasible and safe, video evidence may assist authorities identify non-compliant operators and drivers.
The department further encouraged operators and parents to have dashboard cameras installed for real-time monitoring.
In line with the department’s road safety campaign, it will strictly enforce Section 49 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) which places a statutory duty on the operator of a motor vehicle to ensure:
- The vehicle is roadworthy and mechanically safe.
- The driver operates the vehicle lawfully and safely.
- Passengers are transported without endangerment.
- Safe loading and unloading of passengers.
The campaign forms part of the province’s contribution to the national department's 365 Day Road Safety and Arrive Alive programmes.
Enforcement consequences are now correctly framed as:
- Enforcement actions under the NRTA.
- Potential suspension or loss of operator status based on NRTA non-compliance.
The department further reaffirms key NRTA regulations governing pedestrian behaviour:
- Regulation 323(2): Pedestrians are prohibited from entering or walking on freeways, except where permitted by law.
- Regulation 315: Pedestrians must cross at designated points and obey road traffic signs and signals.
- Regulation 316(5): This regulation addresses unlawful and dangerous pedestrian behaviour, including jaywalking. - SAnews.gov.za
