Keep death off our roads this holiday

WE HAVE had a week of talking in Durban on how to bring the death toll down on our roads. And out of that has come proposals for enforcement agencies to use drones, for officers to wear body cameras and to be more visible in a 24-hour period.

The aim is to reduce fatalities by 50 percent over the next four years. Attending were traffic officers from all provinces and municipalities to seek solutions to the carnage and on how to improve their image and professionalism.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the major causes of death globally. According to world atlas statistics, South Africa has the sixth highest road traffic death rate. Estimates range from between 14 000 and 25 000 if those who die later are included.

Motorists do not respect the law. They drive drunk. They speed. They jump red lights and stop streets. Many do not wear seatbelts. They talk or text on their cellphones. Many do not have valid licences and their vehicles are not roadworthy. If they get caught there is a good chance they can evade prosecution by bribing their way out of trouble.

The conference released a draft declaration that promised to address “rampant bribery and corruption”, as well as noting “with alarm the unacceptably high levels of drunk driving and associated fatalities and injuries”, reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and a need for enhanced cross-border law enforcement.

Changing the perception of many traffic officers as being lazy and corrupt, only there to see how much they can make from errant drivers, is vital. At every level.

The use of drones, body cameras, changing work rosters and increasing salaries takes money and they will have to go begging to Treasury. Significantly cutting fatalities will save the country billions of rand.

Let’s see the words turned into action during the holidays. Show it can be done. Be tough but professional. Save lives. It’s worth it.