Deputy Minister signs petition against blue-light brigades

 "It is unacceptable that officials with blue-light vehicles threaten the safety of the public. Blue-light brigades drive recklessly and only because the ministers whom they transport, are late. There is a visible increase in the number of incidents where official's vehicles cause accidents or where road users are intimidated or threatened by the drivers of blue-light vehicles. That is why I support the petition of the JPSA (Justice Project of South Africa) for the scrapping of these blue-light brigades and I will be signing the petition on Friday," Dr. Pieter Mulder, the deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the leader of the FF Plus said.

"The argument that blue-lights are needed for the safety of the officials does not make sense at all. That is why a new approach about the use of the blue-lights by politicians are needed urgently," according to Mulder.

Dr. Mulder, at the time of his appointment as deputy minister asked that the blue lights be removed from his official vehicle and has never made use of blue lights.

"The minister of transport is at present calling on motorists to drive safely and responsibly during the forthcoming holiday season. The reckless and negligent driving of blue-light vehicles by officials of the government should first be addressed by the minister before he asks ordinary road users to change their behaviour," Mulder added.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Mulder, FF Plus Leader and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, November 16 2011

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