Cops talk tough about traffic issues
DRONES, body cameras, 24/7 police visibility and yet more promises of getting tough on bad driving. Yes, it’s the annual “let’s cut the road death toll” message.
After the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) conference in Durban this week, there were as many “strong messages” sent as drunken drivers on our roads over the festive season.
RTMC chief executive Makhosini Msibi blasted away: “For the next 25 days, let us shock the world. In the first 10 days of our festive season, fatalities and crashes have sky-rocketed compared with last year. We are re-energised and there will be no nonsense on our roads.”
Not to be outdone, Traffic Law En- forcement Review Committee member Mpumi Mpofu said the goal was to cut road deaths in half over the next four years.
“We need 24/7 visibility. There will be no more knocking off at 5pm,” said an inspired Mpofu.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Thomas Kaunda urged traffic authorities to “send a strong message that our roads are under constant surveillance and there is zero tolerance for reckless and negligent behaviour”.
“Our law enforcement operations must be tough so that offenders immediately feel the consequences of their actions,” he said.
At the same time, though, the conference recommended reviewing traffic cops salaries “to improve morale and combat corruption”.
On the sidelines of the conference, traffic cops officers complained about cases thrown out of court, rude drivers, alcohol abuse, texting and the failure to wear seat belts .
Two female traffic officers, from Mpumalanga, said they felt good about resolutions favouring the treatment and development of female traffic officers. “It will inspire the younger ones when they see older women prospering,” one said.
AA spokesman, Layton Beard said: “We welcome anything that is aimed at reducing fatalities on our roads, but obviously proof is in the pudding.”
South Africans Against Drunk Drivers founder Caro Smit said: “Drunk driving accounts for more than 60 percent of crashes globally and we welcome these proposals.
“You can’t ask people to behave because they won’t. They have to know they must be accountable for their actions. They need to be scared that their licence can be taken away or they can be arrested.”