Authorities out in full force this festive season

Friday, November 28, 2014

Pretoria – Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters says all stakeholders in the road traffic fraternity are prepared for the busy festive season.

“This is indeed a festive season with a difference where the road safety-leading agencies are better prepared than before,” said the Minister, speaking at the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Harrismith in the Free State on Friday.

Minister Peters said the Department of Transport together with the Road Traffic Safety fraternity, and the different transport agencies, namely the South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL), Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), Road Accident Fund (RAF), Cross Border Road Traffic Agency (C-BRTA) and other departments such as South African Police Services (SAPS), Health, Home Affairs and will once again go out and protect and serve the South African community during this festive season.

The key focus areas of the campaign this festive season will include:

- impaired driving -targeting alcohol abuse, drug abuse, distracted driving and fatigue management

- dangerous driving - targeting excessive speed, dangerous overtaking and all road violations

- occupant’s safety - targeting front and rear seatbelts, child restraints and air bags

- public transport and loads management - targeting passenger and freight transport overload and documentation

-  vulnerable road users - targeting visibility, drinking and walking, jay-walking, distracted walking and crossing on freeways

-   vehicle fitness -  roadworthiness of vehicles and documentation, specifically number plates

“We will be focusing on passengers, pedestrians, motorists, bus and truck drivers, and car manufactures,” added the Minister.

She said the department would be implementing its detailed integrated road traffic safety plan, covering the period from November 2014 to January 2015.  

“It is a plan that seeks to enhance co-ordination, integration and improved law enforcement and road traffic safety awareness and education activities for maximum results. It also encompasses the notion of road safety being everybody's responsibility by cooperating with all agencies, different departments, NGO’s and churches in its numerous formations,” said the Minister.

A National Traffic Operation Centre, situated at the RTMC offices, will monitor the implementation of the national plan as submitted by the provinces, metros and the different traffic authorities throughout the country.

Minister Peters said was the responsibility of all authorities to ensure that the plans are implemented as planned and proper detailed reports are achieved for auditing purposes.

She added that the department was committed to the fight against corruption and bribery.

“No stone will be left unturned when we deal harshly with corrupt officials. This will include public members who will be enticing our officials to accept bribes. When we arrest both parties, they will feel the heat of our National Anti–Corruption Unit who will be deployed throughout the country.”

She warned that during this period vehicles without number plates will be discontinued and information will be verified.  This will ensure that they are inconvenienced and officers will take their time with the possibility of detention where reasonable grounds are established.

October has seen an increase in the number of crashes involving heavy goods motor vehicles and public passenger motor vehicles.

Government, in response, will be invoking Section 50 of the National Road Traffic Act which empowers the RTMC CEO to deal harshly with the operators, motor vehicle and drivers who do not comply with the provision of the Act, which includes the suspension of the operators, impoundment, retesting of the vehicles and the arrest of the drivers and operators.

Others who attended the launch of the festive season road safety campaign included MEC of Police, Roads and Transport Butana Komphela. – SAnews.gov.za