Let’s make it a safe Easter for all on our busy roads

Every year authorities preach the same message: “Adhere to the speed limit, buckle up, do not drink and drive, stop and rest when you are tired and obey all the rules of the road.” And, yet, every year people are killed on our roads, especially over long weekends – like the Easter weekend. Thousands of people hit the road on Thursday, with traffic volumes expected to increase on Friday as even more travellers make their way to different places of pilgrimage – or their holiday destinations.

Many will take a well-deserved break from work to spend time with close friends and relatives.

Sadly, some will not make it to their destination owing to the fatalities that occur on our roads, due to the high numbers of travellers on the country’s roads around this time of the year.

In most cases, as authorities have said, accidents are caused by a wide range of irresponsible behaviours, often fuelled by alcohol abuse. This leads to human error and causes unwanted carnage on the roads.

Most traffic accidents can be avoided if we apply common sense and follow the basic rules of the road.

As is always the case around this time of the year – as well as over the festive season – there will likely be increased law enforcement visibility on roads.

This means more random stops and searches to ensure that cars are roadworthy, and drivers are not under the influence of alcohol (or three hot cross buns).

This means motorists must be patient and let traffic officers, municipal law enforcement and the police do their job, as their interventions might just save someone’s life. Law enforcement agencies must have a zero-tolerance approach to lawbreakers, and those on the wrong side of law must be jailed or fined. Unroadworthy cars must be taken off the road. With some parts of the Eastern Cape expecting rain this weekend, motorists must be extra vigilant and focus on the task at hand: getting to their destination safely.

Snacking, texting and taking selfies can wait until you arrive safely at your destination.

If everyone obeys the rules of the road, we will all make it to our destinations safely and be able to spend the weekend with our loved ones. Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility.

We are hopeful we will all have a happy Easter weekend.

Snacking, texting and taking selfies can wait until you arrive safely at your respective destinations