Pretoria - The Department of Transport and the National Prosecuting Authority are in talks regarding the prosecution of road traffic offences.
"The driver of any motor vehicle who is found guilty in a road crash should be sent to jail and those who compromise the lives and safety of their passengers will be dealt with harshly," warned Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele.
Ndebele on Tuesday visited some of the families of eight people killed in a road crash on Monday at the Mabopane Highway in Pretoria.
He conveyed his condolences and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
During the visit, Ndebele introduced officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF), who will cover the costs of all eight funerals.
The minister reiterated the need for South Africans to change their attitude towards road safety.
"The number of deaths on our roads is totally unacceptable and cannot be compared with other deaths because in the case of road deaths we know the cure, which is simply to obey all road rules," Ndebele said.
He warned that government will be merciless towards all those who disregard road rules during the coming long weekend as well as Easter holidays.
All road users are urged to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.
