Prioritise road safety this festive season

14 December 2022

With a larger number of travellers expected to use road transport over this coming festive season than in the last two years, all possible personal and regulatory precautions should be taken to avoid fatalities and injuries.

For this purpose, a special briefing was arranged recently to offer the Road Traffic Management Company (RTMC) the opportunity to present safety measures for the festive season of 2022.

An early indication of travelling and crashes has already shown an increase of 1.5% in crashes compared to 2019 (pre-covid) and a 3.5% increase compared to last year (2021).

Apart from all major routes that carry higher traffic volumes during this time, there is a need for road transportation of products throughout the entire nation, also outward trade to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours. Because of the high level of economic activity during this period, the transportation sector and distribution of goods are important. Potential hazards to public and pedestrian safety and commodity delivery should therefore be the focus.

The DA has emphasised the importance to identify and to take steps to reduce potential hazards through effective resource and operational planning. Increased efforts are the only way towards reducing fatalities and crashes on the road. The RTMC indicated that they will focus on drinking and driving, speed, pedestrian safety, vehicle roadworthiness, and execution of warrants of arrest.

The DA pledges its support to all efforts of saving lives. We are grateful to law enforcement, traffic and emergency staff who work during this time to make it safer for everyone else. Civic responsibility includes checking that vehicles are roadworthy and that the driver is competent. The road is a shared space that no user owns and our behaviour should show this.

May the precautions and planning of all who endeavour to protect lives lead to positive results this festive season.

Issued by Chris Hunsinger, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, 14 December 2022