Pretoria – The Northern Cape has launched its provincial Transport Month activities, which will bring into sharp focus issues of road safety.
Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC Martha Bartlett said they will use the month of October to intensify their 365 Days of Road Safety programmes.
MEC Bartlett said all provincial law enforcement officers have been instructed to play their part to reduce fatalities. She said they have adopted a zero tolerance approach to lawlessness, especially towards alcohol and drug use.
The MEC launched the provincial Transport Month in Kimberly today.
In South Africa, October is marked as Transport Month. Government uses the month to increase road safety awareness and to celebrate the critical role transport plays in changing the economy through providing efficient, reliable and safe public transport.
From the beginning of this year until June, a total of 4 324 accidents were recorded.
“The figure should be reduced significantly through vigorous law enforcement campaigns to ensure that we create safer roads across the Northern Cape.
“Contributing factors [to accidents] include abuse of alcohol by both drivers and pedestrians, speeding, using cell phones while driving, dangerous overtaking at barrier lines, defective tyres, pedestrian negligence due to drinking and walking, fatigue and failure to wear seatbelts,” MEC Bartlett said. - SAnews.gov.za
