Road safety not negotiable, obey the law

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has called on all South Africans, motorists and pedestrians to be cautious when using the road.

The Minister has directed law enforcement officers to arrest all transgressors indiscriminately.

Minister Maswanganyi has reminded all South Africans that road safety is not negotiable and that it is everyone’s responsibility to behave appropriately on the road.

“Where road users fail to obey the rules of the road, there will be consequences,” warned Minister Maswanganyi.

Festive season

As South Africans are about to enter the festive season, a period characterised by high volumes of fatal road crashes, Minister Maswanganyi has instructed law enforcement officers to heighten the provisions of the Road Safety Strategy, as approved by Cabinet.

This includes the implementation of a 24-hour shift for traffic officers to ensure high visibility, which will lead to less crashes and a reduction of fatalities.

Minister Maswanganyi said anti-corruption operations will be intensified to deal decisively with organised crime and corruption by law enforcement officers and driving schools that connive to issue driver’s licences to undeserving candidates, who are a major cause of accidents.

“Following the recent spate of road crashes that took place in different provinces in the past few weeks, it is clear that there are some road users who are hell-bent on disobeying the rules of the road, regardless of our campaigns and messages sent in various platforms. We will continue to ensure that we hold all transgressors to account by implementing the Road Traffic Act.

“The passing of the Aarto [Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences] Bill by the National Assembly is yet another intervention that will ensure that necessary punitive measures are imposed on all traffic law transgressors,” the Minister said.

The point demerits system as a major attribute of the Aarto Bill will ensure that points are deducted from habitual offenders and finally remove them from the roads. 

365 Days Road Safety Campaign

“As the Department of Transport, we will continue to implement the 365 Days Road Safety Campaign, which declares road safety as a daily commitment by all entities of the department working together with provincial and municipal authorities to intensify law enforcement operations.

“Through this campaign, we have been conducting law enforcement operations as well as road safety education and awareness activations throughout the country,” Minister Maswanganyi said.

Meanwhile, Minister Maswanganyi had sent heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those that died on the roads recently and wishes those in hospital a speedy recovery. – SAnews.gov.za