Deputy Minister for Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa has welcomed the newly graduated 123 traffic officers and 56 road safety officers.
“As traffic and road safety officers, you are custodians of safety on our roads. Your presence is a testament to our nation’s commitment to reducing road accidents, saving lives, and fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among road users,” the Deputy Minister said.
He was addressing the recent Passing Out and Graduation Ceremony of Traffic Officers and Road Safety Officers at the Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Academy in Tshwane, Gauteng.
Hlengwa said it was fitting that this “Passing-Out Parade” takes place during the month of December, which is synonymous with a spike in road crashes, fatalities, and lawlessness.
“This passing out parade and graduation therefore signal[s] our commitment to increase our capacity to respond to this scourge of road fatalities in our country. As traffic and road safety officers, you are custodians of safety on our roads.
“Your presence is a testament to our nation’s commitment to reducing road accidents, saving lives, and fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among road users.
“Every day, countless lives are impacted by road-related incidents. Behind every statistic is a story—of families torn apart, dreams cut short, and communities affected. Your role is to prevent these tragedies. Through your vigilance, enforcement, and education efforts, you will make a difference,” he explained.
The Deputy Minister said the country is under siege from road crashes.
“Reckless drivers are wreaking havoc in communities, destroying lives and tearing families apart. Road fatalities are a major drain on our coffers, while bringing extreme misery and pain to families and others affected,” Hlengwa said.
Costs and human error
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s State of Road Safety Report for January 2023 to December 2023, the total costs of road crashes is estimated at an adjusted cost of R205.13 billion, which is estimated at 2.74% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023.
“The effects on our economy are certainly debilitating, affecting small and large businesses alike, and holding back a sustainable economic recovery.
“It is due to these human and economic costs that we are forced to act with persistence and an unwavering commitment to prevent the crashes on our roads because they are results of human error and largely avoidable.
“Human factors have remained the most central cause of crashes, serious injuries and deaths, some of which is because of reckless and negligent drivers who operate with the kind of impunity that can never be tolerated on our roads,” Hlengwa said.
Progress made
Despite challenges that traffic officers continue to face, the National Traffic Police has made significant inroads to improve safety on the roads.
In the last financial year, the National Traffic Police made 3 280 interventions to deal the drunken driving, moving violations, speed, pedestrian safety and overloading among others.
“We hope that more will be achieved once you become full members of this battalion of resolute men and women. You are entrusted with a significant responsibility, and with that comes the need for unwavering integrity.
“Uphold the values of fairness, professionalism, and accountability in all your actions. Remember, the uniform you wear represents the trust of the people you serve.
“You have thus been recruited and trained to deal with this scourge of road crashes by also educating and changing road user behaviour and we believe your education and training places you in an advantageous position to effectively carry out this task,” the Deputy Minister said. -SAnews.gov.za
