Johannesburg - As the downward run to the seaside starts from Joburg on Friday, Cabinet, the Department of Transport and the Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) have warned that traffic officials will have a zero tolerance approach to lawlessness.
JMPD spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said there would be road blocks on all exit routes from the city today.
“Besides the road blocks, we will have officers patrolling all the major highways. We expect the largest number of vehicles will be leaving today, and then another spike next Friday,” he said.
Transport department spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso said there would be massive traffic enforcement and education campaigns on all major routes, starting this morning on the notorious R576 Moloto Road, and the N1 near Carousel Casino.
“There will be a highly visible presence of traffic officers on the roads, which will not only prevent motorists from speeding, but they will also be assisting in traffic control. We are urging road users, including passengers and pedestrians, to take personal care of themselves on the roads,” he said.
Minister in the Presidency for performance, monitoring and evaluation, Jeff Radebe, has urged all road users to adhere to the speed limit, ensure vehicles are roadworthy, not to drive while intoxicated and to wear safety belts.
“Pedestrians are urged to ensure that when using the roads, they do not endanger their well-being or that of motorists,” he said at a media briefing yesterday.
SAFETY CAMPAIGNS
The government will also play its part by leading a range of campaigns, such as Healthy Lifestyles and Arrive Alive, in a bid to partner with communities to promote responsible and safe behaviour.
“Cabinet calls on all South Africans to take every precaution during the festive season. Stay away from the abuse of alcohol and drugs and enjoy the holiday period in a safe and responsible manner. All South Africans have a part to play in curbing incidents of crime, accidents and abuse, which tend to increase during this period,” Radebe said.
The 2014 national Festive Season Road Safety Campaign was launched last month by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters and her deputy, Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Peters said the department was working with role players to bring the death toll down.
A national traffic operation centre, at the Road Traffic Management Corporation offices in Pretoria, will monitor the implementation of the national plan as submitted by the provinces, metros and the various traffic authorities across the country.
The key areas that the National Festive Season Road Safety Campaign will focus on are:
Impaired Driving: alcohol and drug abuse, distracted driving and fatigue.
Dangerous driving: excessive speed, dangerous overtaking and all road violations.
Occupants safety: front and rear seatbelts, child restraints and air bags.
Vehicle fitness.
Trucks and busses: public transport and loads management for passenger and freight transport.
Vulnerable road users: visibility, drinking and walking, jay walking, distracted walking and crossing on freeways.
DEALING WITH CORRUPTION
“We are committed in the fight against corruption and bribery and it still continues. No stone will be left unturned when we deal harshly with corrupt officials. This will include public members who will be enticing our officials to accept bribes. When we arrest both parties, they will feel the heat of our National Anti-Corruption Unit who will be deployed throughout the country,” she said.
Vehicles without number plates will be discontinued.
“This process is to ensure that they are inconvenienced. Officers will take their time with the possibility of detention where reasonable grounds are established.”
At the same time, the road traffic safety education department will engage with the drivers with regards to road safety awareness, focusing on visibility, speed, travelling at night and looking out for stray animals.
“We will be focusing on passengers, pedestrians, motorists, bus and truck drivers, and car manufactures,” she said.
The Cross-border Road Transport Agency is going to ensure that all road transport users, be it passenger transport or freight, are able to go about their business in a safe and unrestrained manner.
The Road Accident Fund’s road safety unit, which has been established to contribute to the reduction of road crashes, will conduct several road safety activities in partnership with its sister agencies and other government entities.
CREATING AWARENESS
In total, there will be about 12 activations in six provinces.
These will include child restraint awareness programmes, fatigue management operations, defensive driving training for public transport and freight drivers, and “back to school” road safety campaigns.
“One death is one too many on our roads. We are witnessing horrific crashes. People are being killed on our roads and this is affecting our economy.
“We need to make a personal contribution towards saving lives this festive season by pledging to obey all traffic rules and regulations and thereby taking personal responsibility of our safety on our roads,” she said.
The National Department of Transport estimates road trauma costs the South African economy R306 billion every year, which is money that should be directed to improving levels of service delivery.
KZN ALL REVVED UP FOR THE CROWDS
Kwa-Zulu Natal says it is prepared for visitors. MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo says plans have been put in place to respond to car accidents and other emergency situations during this festive period.
Its normal road safety campaign, Alpha Operation, has been amplified. Plans are:
- Revolutionary aero-medical night vision goggles system: for helicopter emergency services will be used, which allow for better visibility in night conditions with crews being able to see a person standing over 183m away on a moonless night.
- The two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft on permanent standby.
- Sixty disaster buses with stretchers are on standby.
- Fifteen medical rescue response units, equipped with sophisticated extricating machinery for wreckages.
- All these will be co-ordinated in 12 emergency communications centres.
- Health-care institutions are ready.
- Access to the facilities provided by the private hospital sector is in place.
The Star