Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to be extra vigilant on the road this festive season, saying there was no better time to take road safety messages seriously.
Speaking at the launch of Operation Hlasela Ubugebengu/Valingozi Emgwaqeni safety awareness campaign in the Ilembe district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma urged the public to work with authorities in reducing road carnage.
"We lose 14 000 lives per annum due to road crashes. We have to stop this carnage. We lose an estimated R56 billion per annum in total cost to the economy. However, the emotional loss to families is immeasurable. Some of the people who die in the crashes are breadwinners. They leave many families destitute," said Zuma on Tuesday.
He said everyone had a role to play in stopping the carnage and urged motorists to respect traffic regulations, wear seat belts at all times, rest after long distances and take every precaution to stay safe on the roads.
Law enforcement agencies will also be out in full force arresting motorists for excessive speeding, reckless and negligent driving and barrier line infringement.
"Taxi and bus operators that do not comply with permit requirements, who are guilty of gross overloading and who operate vehicles that are not roadworthy, will also be arrested," said the President.
Police will also be watchful of tourist destinations. They will be out doing patrols especially along the coastal cities. Focus will also be on preventing and arresting those suspected of aggravated robberies, including house and business robberies, cash-in-transit heists, ATM bombings as well as alcohol abuse.
Zuma said police will also conduct general operations to curb increasing counterfeit production, and illegal sale of CDs, DVDs and clothing and contraband cigarettes.
