All road users need to be vigilant

WITH the Easter weekend in full swing, Eastern Cape transport, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana has appealed to motorists to practise vigilance on the roads.

“As from midday today [yesterday], we expect an increase in traffic volumes and we call upon all motorists to be road safety ambassadors during this critical period by reporting any incident on the road through our tollfree number 0800-644-644,” said Tikana.

She said the department had allocated financial resources to pay overtime to ensure that traffic officers worked 24 hours.

“Our law enforcement agencies will ensure that we decisively deal with speed offences, alcohol-related offences, overloading as well as pedestrian offences.”

Tikana said there would be joint operations with neighbouring provinces such as the Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal to safeguard borders and limit entrance to the province of inappropriate drivers and vehicles. These operations would be complemented by roadblocks on various routes, which are:

● N2 East London – Mthatha – Kokstad;

● R61 Mthatha – Mbizana;

● R61 – Aberdeen – Cradock – Ngcobo – Mthatha;

● R72 East London – Port Elizabeth; and ● N6 Aliwal North – East London. Eastern Cape Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said they were already experiencing heavy traffic volumes and issued a stern warning to younger drivers.

“Young people need to remember that if you misbehave on the road, we

Port

St Johns – will take away your licence as punishment, so we urge compliance not just to the youth but to all motorists,” said Machaea.

He also warned against fatigue, describing it as a “silent killer”.

“We urge motorists to rest or take turns when driving long distances.

“We already had an incident yesterday where a bus driver lost his life. He had been driving alone from Johannesburg when he lost control of the vehicle,” he said.

While motorists were cautioned to drive safely, Cambridge police have cautioned pedestrians to abide by the rules of the road.

SAPS members from the station, together with representatives from the department of transport and ward councillor, Dr Dinesh Vallabh yesterday went door-to-door in Cambridge location to raise awareness on road safety for pedestrians.

Police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said they chose Cambridge location as many members of the community ended up as accident victims.

Mbi said most of the accidents happen when people crossed the N2.

“In the past few years 12 people have been hit by vehicles on the N2 and three of those people died.”

The team marched down the streets of the location holding placards with road safety tips written on them.

Mbi also warned the community that anyone caught crossing the N2 would be arrested.

“Too many lives have been claimed on this road.”

The National Sea Rescue Institute has also advised those going to the beach over the Easter weekend to be aware of the full moon spring tide and the stronger than normal rip currents.

The full moon phase will peak tomorrow and will last for the next five to six days. —