Violation of road traffic rules must be ‘decisively punished’
HLULANI MASHABA
Acting Deputy Director : Media Relations, Gauteng Department of Community Safety
THE Gauteng Department of Community Safety as the lead department in the implementation of road safety strategy in the province remains committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers on Gauteng roads.
Despite various road safety measures in place, Gauteng roads continue to experience growing incidents of fatal crashes. The department has noticed concerted efforts aimed at derailing the work of law enforcement on our roads by reckless and negligent drivers who do not have regard for the rules of the road. The conduct of these drivers resulted in two Gauteng traffic police officers losing their lives.
First, an accident claimed the life of Gauteng traffic police officer Poppy Moaka, who was attached to the Motorbike Unit of the Special Law Enforcement Unit. The officer died on September 14, in an accident on the R566 Rosslyn Road next to Nkwe Estate while escorting a bus carrying Covid-19 vaccines to a vaccination site in Tshwane.
As if this is not enough, officer Moses Noza Mathebula died in an incident involving an unroadworthy taxi on the R551 road. Officer Mathebula was deployed at the Vereeniging regional office. He met his death conducting a roadside checkpoint on September 29.
These are worrying incidents Motorists are continuously conducting themselves with impunity on Gauteng roads. Irresponsible and reckless driving cut shot the lives of traffic police officers.
The department has observed that drivers often do not obey the rules of the road and don’t adhere to the speed limit. Another factor contributing to the fatal crashes is vehicles which are not roadworthy.
The rule of not drinking and driving must be adhered to by all road users if we want are to realise a safer road environment.
It is critical that motorists be encouraged to make alternative transport arrangements if under the influence of alcohol.
The constant disregard for road traffic rules cannot continue. These reckless drivers must face the full might of the law for their actions. This phenomenon must be dealt with decisively and road traffic violators must be punished.
While we are heading into the festive season, road safety will continue to be under the spotlight since it is matter of grave concern to the provincial government. A sharp increase in traffic on our roads is expected, especially in long distance travelling.
Unfortunately, during this period, many lives are lost as a result of road traffic accidents. This is concerning because most road accidents can be prevented as they are usually caused by human error.
The Gauteng traffic police will continue to deploy officers, particularly in areas normally characterised by high frequency fatal road crashes or hazardous locations.
They will continue in their noble job to always keep in check vehicle roadworthiness and driver fitness as important components in reducing road safety.
As Gauteng, we must wage a war against road fatalities. The department through the Road
Safety Education Unit will reach out to public transport operators and passengers at public transport hubs to inform and educate them on the importance of road safety. These kinds of initiatives will result in greater pedestrian and driver safety on high-risk routes.
The department calls on the law enforcement authorities to act decisively in dealing with those drivers who do not comply with the rules of the road and appeals to road users to be vigilant, patient and to adhere to the rules of the road to save the lives of passengers.