Reducing road fatalities a top priority

NO WICKETS fell before the close at 9.30pm, but the canny Du Plessis gained valuable insight into how his bowlers would fare with the pink ball under lights.

Du Plessis’s brave captaincy was hailed on social media as the Proteas go for Australia’s jugular and home in on an historic Test series whitewash Down Under.

His leadership in the field and with the bat must be commended as a brave step forward as the national team seeks to reclaim the number position on the ICC’s world Test rankings. REDUCING road fatalities and road crashes remains a top priority of the Western Cape government over the upcoming festive season.

Although the Department of Transport and Public Works is facing tough budget constraints, they presented a comprehensive plan to tackle the challenges during the festive season. These plans include an integrated operational implementation and reports on roadside activities on all Western Cape national, provincial and local routes.

Objectives of these plans include making use of a Safe Systems Approach that includes an analysis of the several different factors that lead to road accidents. The DA envisions creating a province where road accidents are nearly zero.

Recognising the mistakes people make on the roads, we plan on using several initiatives to educate people of about these. We urge the use of local contravention centres in all municipalities so as to increase the accountability of those breaking the law on the roads. This must include special focus on those areas where fatalities and driver negligence are most common.

Over the past few years road fatalities have increased substantially – in December 2013, there were 105 fatalities on Western Cape Roads. This number rose to 131 in December 2015.

The degree of safety on our roads this festive season will also be determined by our personal efforts to arrive at our destinations safely. The DA will continue to ensure that services are rendered to the people of the Western Cape so as to ensure the safety of all those living in the province.