Minister Peters must take serious action this festive season

The National Department of Transport estimates that road trauma costs the South African economy R 306 billion a year, which is money that should be directed to improving levels of service delivery. The situation simply cannot continue unabated and urgent action is needed from all stakeholders and citizens, in partnership, to curb the carnage on our roads. Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters, needs to show leadership and boldness on the road safety issue. She does not need to reinvent the wheel as the Western Cape’s “Safely Home”, the only functioning road safety campaign, has proved to yield results. Road death statistics in the Western Cape have consistently dropped since 2009. The “Safely Home” campaign has launched a multimedia campaign focused on the dangers associated with alcohol and road use. The campaign is live online and in social media and is supported by radio advertisements on various radio stations, as well as campaign posters at key locations. The Western Cape Government has made every effort to ensure safe roads over the festive season. The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Department remains the only traffic service to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Minister Peters should emulate “Safely Home” which is intensifying over the upcoming festive season. Round-the-clock enforcement operations across the country over this festive season should focus on: • Driving under the influence of alcohol. • Excessive speed. • Driver Fatigue management. • Driver/vehicle fitness. • Distracted driving. • Pedestrian safety. • Seatbelt compliance. • Licence plates. • Safe following distances. As well as better co-ordination between enforcement bodies across the provinces, where traffic volumes are on the rise as many travel across the country to their various holiday destinations. Unless the Minister ensures that a proper and coordinated road safety campaign is in place during the festive season, improvements on our roads will remain minimal.