Zero tolerance for holiday drivers
David Masango
22 March 2005
With the Easter holidays looming, the Department of Transport has beefed up its traffic law enforcement resources with 60 more patrol cars to deal with law breakers.
The vehicles have been provided to provincial, municipal and local traffic authorities in all provinces.
The vehicles are fitted with road safety, emergency, communication and law enforcement equipment, including tracking and card verification Devices that can access motorists' and vehicles' information from the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) at the press of a button.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, launching the Arrive Alive Easter road safety campaign in Johannesburg last week, said that more had to be done to reduce the high number of crashes and fatalities on the county's roads.
The number of fatal crashes on SA's roads increased from 10 246 in 2003 to 10 523 in 2004, while the number of fatalities increased by 2.92% from 12 348 in 2003 to 12 709 in 2004.
According to a Medical Research Council study, roughly 58% of drivers and 61% of pedestrians killed in road crashes test positive for alcohol consumption exceeding the legal limit.
It is estimated that 1 932 fatal crashes during 2004 happened as a direct result of drinking and driving, claiming the lives of 2 333 persons at a cost to the country of R1.62-billion.
"These figures, taking into consideration the high percentage of pedestrians jaywalking and drivers exceeding the speed limit, is indeed a matter of grave concern", Radebe said.
An extensive speed analysis of about 25 million vehicles of all types in 2004 found that 30% of drivers exceed the 120km/h limit, with about 14% exceeding 130 km/h and 6% driving faster than 140 km/h.
Radebe said that traffic law enforcement officers had to encourage better road user behaviour, and that traffic law enforcement would continue to be enhanced through improved management methods and new
technology.
"The focus will be on both widespread and targeted intelligence-based enforcement campaigns, which will be coordinated with public information programmes", Radebe said, warning motorists to expect tougher law enforcement on the roads.
"There will be no compromise on the roads, as a number of energetic officers will be involved in planned enforcement blitzes with a strong focus on speed, alcohol, overloading, vehicle and driver fitness as well as pedestrian safety.
"In support of the enforcement activities, the Asset Forfeiture Unit will continue to confiscate the vehicle of repeat heavy offenders, particularly for excessive drinking and driving offences."
Source: BuaNews
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