Head of the Department Mr Moeketsi Dichaba and Management Team
Members of Traffic Units present
Cluster and Station Commanders of the South African Police Services
Leadership of Community Police Forums Present
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my pleasure to be here at the Launch of the Department of Transport, Safety & Liaison’s annual Festive Season Road Safety Campaign.
Every year the Northern Cape Provincial Government pays homage to life by supporting a campaign that seeks to prevent accidents and road fatalities. These accidents leave families bereft of hope and grief-stricken during a time that is meant to celebrate the birth of Christ.
As we know, the festive season is characterised by increased volumes of road users on their way home or visiting loved ones. Increased levels of traffic on the road demand higher levels of vigilance from drivers and pedestrians, but also places severe strain on resources of our traffic management systems.
We have, however, processes in place that draw strength from a strong collection of law enforcement agencies and stakeholder parties to ensure we are on the roads in numbers, checking compliance and bringing those to book who endanger the lives of others with their recklessness and negligence.
Every year we engage in a process of analysing road incidents so that we can identify patterns and analyse trends – this enables us to plan better and anticipate with a higher margin of success the areas we need to focus on.
This year our theme is “Roads have Stories”. Here and there, at the side of our roads, we see little memorial shrines where family and friends remember those who died. One cannot help but to wonder who it was, where were they on their way to, how did this happen and who came here to weep at their loss?
These stories are real and we should stay reminded of their devastating effect.
Our broad operational plan for the Festive Season and road safety education operations wants all our Law Enforcement Officers and stakeholders on the roads. Broadening the safety net with maintained and comprehensive visibility means that we improve our chances of being at the right time and place to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Human factors remain the main contributor to road accidents and fatalities. When we look at the numbers, the age distribution also suggests that young people are more prone to accidents. The fact that we have young people on our roads behaving irresponsibly is concerning.
We do have awareness programmes for youth, but I believe there is a deeper, more intensive social aspect of behaviour and attitude change we need to address. We need to instil in our youth a sense of responsibility and an appreciation of the consequences of reckless behaviour.
For your safety I am sharing with you some critical information that can assist you in avoiding the probability of an accident or enable you to be at increased alertness. Accidents happen mostly on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The time period between 4 pm to midnight remains the time when most incidents occur.
Vehicles mostly involved in accidents include light motor vehicles, light delivery vehicles and mini bus taxis. Main causes of accidents include tyre bursts, brakes that failed and passenger overload. Contributing factors include driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, cellphone use while driving, not wearing your seatbelt, dangerous overtaking, vehicle fitness, pedestrian negligence, driver fatigue, sharp bends and jaywalking.
Let us also share the following critical accident prone routes:
R 31 – HOTAZEL-KURUMAN-DANIELSKUIL-BARKLY WEST-KIMBERLEY HAZARDOUS –Most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from mining and other activities.
N 18—WARRENTON-JAN KEMPDORP-HARTSWATER-TAUNG
HAZARDOUS-Most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from farming and other activities
N 12—CHRISTIANA-WARRENTON-KIMBERLEY-MODDER RIVIER-HOPETOWN-BRITSTOWN-3 SISTERS
HAZARDOUS- Most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from tourist, business and other activities
N 14-VRYBURG-KURUMAN-KATHU-OLIFANTSHOEK-UPINGTON-KAKAMAS-SPRINGBOK
HAZARDOUS-Most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy congestion from mining, business and other activities
N 8—GROBLERSHOOP-KIMBERLEY-BLOEMFONTEIN
Heavily congested
R 385-OLIFANTSHOEK-POSTMANSBERG-DANIELSKUIL
Heavily congested
N9—UPINGTON-GROBBELAARSHOOP-BRITSTOWN-DE AAR-HANOVER
Seasonal congestion due to leisure and other activities. Impaired, reckless and negligent driving poses the biggest threat
N 1-BLOEMFONTEIN-COLESBERG-RICHMOND-BEAUFORT WEST
Heavily congested due to business and holiday activities
N 7 KAMIESKROON-SPRINGBOK-STEINKOPF
Holiday activities
Even though the Northern Cape accident statistics on road fatalities have been the lowest on average nationally compared to other provinces, we need to work smarter, better and faster to further reduce accidents.
The Operational Plan will see the deployment of Municipal, Provincial and National Traffic Police Officers as well as the South African Police Service as force multiplier. We will focus on speeding, moving violations, tactical road blocks, the roadworthiness of public transport, Stop and Checks, drunk and driving, occupant safety, overload control of freight transport, dangerous driving and fatigue management.
Road safety education and awareness interventions at Taxi stations will continue throughout as well as media alerts where necessary.
I would like to make a plea on especially our young people to reflect on their behaviour when taking to the roads this festive. There is no place you need to be at that warrants you speeding into your death.
There will be parties and drinking and a general sense of joyfulness – it is and will never be OK to put your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of other road-users in danger because you drink and drive. A funeral over Christmas time is a very bitter party to be at.
Inspect your vehicle, make sure it is serviced and roadworthy. Plan your trips in advance and take regular rests. Do not overload and appoint a designated driver if you plan on driving to and from parties.
Even now I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you who will be on the cold, dark roads at night, guiding motorists safely to their destinations and detaining those who break the law. You will, yet again, take time away from your husbands, wives and children you that the husbands, wives and children of others can reach their destinations safely.
We appreciate and value all your sacrifices. Stay vigilant and alert and enforce the law with no fear nor favour.
I would like to wish all of you a merry and blessed Christmas time. Make the most of those times you ARE with your families. Be present, be mindful of their needs, love and cherish them and allow them to love you back. There is nothing more reinforcing to the human spirit than the realization of being loved.