Pretoria - This year's Easter Holiday Arrive Alive campaign marks the start of a renewed commitment to reducing deaths and injuries on the country's roads, says Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele.
Speaking at the launch of the Easter Road Safety Plan in Limpopo on Monday, Ndebele said 40 deaths and over 140 serious injuries occur on the country's roads daily and cost the country's economy an estimated R56 billion each year.
"This year marks a break in our approach to road safety. It shall no longer be just government's responsibility to provide safety on our roads. From henceforth, this shall be a strong partnership between stakeholders, the community, individuals, business and all of us," he said.
Ndebele said road deaths, per 100 million vehicle kilometers travelled, had dropped, particularly during the festive season.
"This Easter, the N1 towards Polokwane, especially the route to Moria City and to Beit Bridge, will be heavily policed, The N3 to the coastal city of Durban and N1 to the Free State, Western and Eastern Cape will be no exception," said Ndebele.
He added that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), together with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), will employ 240 traffic officers who will be deployed on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Scheme's Open Road Toll.
"It is a sad reality that more than 90 percent of road deaths follow a traffic violation," said Ndebele. "We are pleased that the Director of Public Prosecutions Office in Gauteng has reinstated the use of Drager Breathalysers," he said.
He added that all law enforcement agencies will work together to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries by increasing visible and effective policing in hazardous locations. They will also increase detection and visibility of pedestrians through reflective clothing and other apparel.
On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of members of the Zion Christian Church will head to Moria, outside Polokwane, as part of the annual pilgrimage celebration.
