Q&A
It’s another bloody festive season on our roads, with almost 800 already killed. Caiphus Kgosana asked Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson SIMON ZWANE …
Is the Arrive Alive message falling on deaf ears?
I don’t think so. Without the messages and the law enforcement decisions that take place, the situation could have been worse. Driver behaviour is influenced by many complex issues. We live in a country that has got an explosion of diseases of lifestyle, which also affects drivers … If one out of three of us have got a mental ailment of sorts, and stress levels are high, judgment gets impaired when people get on the road. If you add to that the use of cellphones while driving, drivers that are not properly trained, people who bought their licences because of corruption … What we are prepared to own up to is it is not always certain that you will be stopped and that you will receive punishment fitting the transgression; that you will see consequences for that.
Firstly, there are not enough traffic officials generally in the country. For driving at 180km/h, even up to 200 km/h, you can get your bail given to you at a police station by a police officer and it will be R1,500 — or R5,000 if you are unlucky. You see this culture of impunity come in. People who say: “Look, I will drive under the influence of alcohol; if you stop me, I’ll pay you a bribe.” We have a very concerted campaign around corruption … We have made a number of arrests. There are a number of investigations under way …
What is being done to combat fraudulent drivers’ licences?
There were five arrests made in Underberg, in KwaZulu-Natal, as part of that anti-corruption drive. It was at a learner-driver licensing centre. All the examiners that work there were arrested.
Yes, but we need evidence, and when we get this evidence, we arrest the people. There are people that have been arrested during the year. We closed down another centre in Howick, we closed another licensing centre in Delmas. We also made arrests in Gauteng at Alberton and Germiston.
Shouldn’t there be more focus on taking unroadworthy taxis and trucks off our roads?
There is dedicated attention to public transport. That is why the number of taxis involved in fatal crashes has come down from 10% to 7% [of overall fatal crashes]. There are officials who deal specifically with public transport to try and get compliance increased.
Drinking-and-driving convictions are low. Are motorists getting away with it?
Motorists have found loopholes in the system, but we are closing the loopholes.
What should be done to curb this problem?
It will be difficult in a society where binge drinking is a favourite pastime. Drinking doesn’t only lead to road crashes but leads to interpersonal violence. Interpersonal violence is the No 1 killer among South African youth under 29. The second killer is vehicle accidents because of alcohol. We have to tackle this problem where it resides, in the society.