Pretoria – The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has set a target of reducing accidents on the road as well as fatalities during the Easter long weekend by 50%.
“The RTMC and law enforcement fraternity have taken a view to develop a completely different approach to road safety interventions in order to realise a significant reduction in road traffic fatalities nationally,” the agency said on Tuesday.
Traditionally, Easter holidays are characterised by the mass movement of people, particularly from different religious denominations and as a result, this period normally experiences a high demand for long distance travelling through public and private transport modes.
The RTMC said the demand for road transportation of goods and passengers across the country, including SADC countries, also increases.
“Law enforcement interventions will be supported by road safety awareness campaigns, which will also be anchored by a strong communication strategy highlighting the dangers of unsafe road usage over the Easter weekend period,” the RTMC said.
Other targets in the 2017 National Road Traffic Safety Easter weekend approach include, heightened visibility of law enforcement operations, creating a safe road traffic environment for all road users and ensuring coordination and support of road policing operations through the National Road Traffic Joint Operations Centre.
Roads for close monitoring
National and major provincial routes and corridors, which will be intensely monitored based on the previous year’s major crashes’ statistics are:
- R573 (Moloto Road)
- N1 (Laingsburg – Cape Town)
- N1 (Tshwane – Polokwane)
- N1 (Johannesburg – Bloemfontein)
- N2 (Mthatha – Port Elizabeth)
- N3 (Johannesburg – Durban)
- N4 (Tshwane – Lebombo border)
- N5 (Winburg – Harrismith)
- N6 (Bloemfontein – East London)
- N14 (Klerksdorp – Kimberly)
- N11 (Middleburg – Groblersdal)
- N12 (Klerksdorp – Wolmaranstad)
- R61 (Beaufort west – Mthatha)
- R30 (Bloemfontein, Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp)
- R80 (Mabobane – Tswhane)
- R378 (Vryburg)
- R101 (Hammanskraal – Polokwane), alternative route to N1
Basic road safety tips
- Avoid alcoholic beverages and heavy foods when travelling long distances.
- Rest after every two hours of driving or 200km.
- When hosting guests, do not pressurize them to drink if they driving.
- Do not allow your drunken friends and family members to walk home drunk.
- Arrange lifts with sober drivers or provide overnight accommodation for your guests.
- If you are taking any medication, make sure that it will not impair your driving ability.
The RTMC even has a special message for new vehicle owners.
“To those who just bought new vehicles and are travelling long distances home to show your parents: we urge you to have an experienced co-driver to assist with the driving, especially if travelling overnight.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison says it has a robust action plan for the Easter long weekend. Efforts will focus mainly on stray animals, overloading, roadworthiness, alcohol screening, speed, roadblocks and road safety education. - SAnews.gov.za
