Law enforcement needs to monitor our roads to ensure a drop in road carnage
ON ESTIMATE a staggering 40 people die on our roads every day.
This equates to 14 600 deaths a year but this figure can increase, particularly during the festive season, when visitors flock to various provinces for vacation.
The spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Simon Zwane, believes the proposed traffic rules and regulations, once implemented, will reduce the devastation.
“The World Health Organisation recently released a globe status report on road safety and in this report they encouraged countries to strengthen their road legislations.
“Together with the Department of Transport, we looked at countries with low road fatality rates and we are using some of those ideas to address the problem in South Africa.”
Zwane said some of the ways forward included reducing speed limits, rooting out drivers who obtained licences illegally and ensuring children are no longer transported to school at the back of bakkies.
“Every day there is a serious accident on our roads and from our investigations, we have found that people don’t have a proper knowledge of the rules of the road before driving.
“For example, head-on collisions are caused mostly because drivers overtake (other motorists) on a straight line and this is not allowed.”
He said when they investigated further, they find the driver obtained his licence illegally.
“For us the best way to reduce road carnage is regular testing of motorists. For years we have been pushing for the Department of Transport to implement this and finally it is being done.”
Zwane said they also found that some licensed drivers had never stepped foot on a testing ground, having obtained their documents illegally.
“When we have drivers who are aware and know the rules of the road, then we will have success.”
He said that once the new rules come into effect, law enforcement would be on high alert to check drivers.
“We will be patrolling freeways and taking a zero tolerance approach to this situation.”
KZN Metro Police spokesperson Sbonelo Mchunu said this stance was long overdue.
“We will work hand in hand with the Department of Transport and RTMC to ensure our officers enforce the new rules and regulations. Most motorists comply with the rules, while the minority need to be brought into line.”
Mchunu said they would do everything in their power to ensure the rules are adhered to and those who failed to obey the rules of the road would have their permits revoked and face heavy fines.