MEC VILAKAZI LEADS THE CHARGE TOWARDS FESTIVE SEASON ROAD SAFETY IN NCAPE

Kimberley – The Northern Cape’s Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison will be bolstering efforts aimed at reducing crashes on the province’s roads this festive season. Sharp focus will be put on intensifying all traffic policing activities on critical days stretching from Thursdays to Sundays between 18:00 to 24:00.
The Department’s MEC Nontobeko Vilakazi urged road users to desist from offering bribes to traffic officers.
“We need to stop corruption, and just as we make a call on traffic officers not to accept bribes, we must call on citizens to stop offering bribes,” warned MEC Vilakazi.
Vilakazi also cited the factors behind crashes in providing some tips: “Plan your trips well, rest often and ensure your car is roadworthy. Never drink and drive, wear your seatbelt at all times, do not speed and never overtake on a barrier line. Let us celebrate this festive season in peace and safety and remember and remember to always arrive alive.”
In the festive season 2018/2019, the Northern Cape recorded 42 crashes which resulted in 54 deaths blamed on driver behaviour and persistent negligent driving. It was noted as a sharp increase in comparison to 30 fatalities of the season before.
From the past festive season’s 42 crashes; two incidents in Namaqualand claimed 10 lives whilst the total per area were as such – Springbok with 14, Upington with 12 and Mothibistad which recorded 8 fatalities.
The critical routes in the three towns will be the target of enhanced operations in the form of tactical road blocks, checking road worthiness of public transport, stop and checks, overload control of freight transport and road safety education and awareness.
Other factors identified by the department as a cause of crashes on the province’s roads are cellphone use whilst driving, fatigue, jay walking and pedestrian negligence.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula inspected the National Traffic Control Centre which is said to “collect and collate national statistics pertaining to South Africa’s road network.” He launched the National Festive Season Road Safety Campaign last week