Modern, Growing, Successful Province

Department of Transport, Safety and Liason MEC Martha Bartlett Launch Easter Campaim

Executive Mayor and Speaker of the John Toalo Gaetsewe District
Mayors and Councillors present
Representatives of transport agencies and entities, the taxis and bus industry
Senior officials from national, provincial and local governments
Distinguished members of the media
Invited guests
Ladies and Gentleman
Comrades and friends

It is indeed a privilege to be here today and address you at this esteemed occasion. This day presents us with an opportunity re-emphasise the message of road safety ahead of schools closing on 1 April and the big rush during the Easter weekend.

Our Arrive Alive campaign continues to raise a huge interest in the public and media, largely because there is an unnecessary loss of human life during this short period. Easter is a holy and synonymous with many religious activities.

As the African National Congress Led government we have made road safety a priority. The Arrive Alive campaign premised on saving lives through promotion of responsible road use. Today, we can confirm that we mean business when we say in no uncertain terms that we cannot afford to continue to lose over 40 lives every day. These are parents, children, bread winners and family members. Not only are the pain and suffering immeasurable for victims and their families, but diverting scarce resources from other social and economic needs of the country.

Every year, we witness a tragedy of unequalled size. We need more sense of urgency as nobody benefits from this situation.
The results are so horrific because of a number of reasons, for instance, it may be as a result of just carelessness, misjudgement or not following traffic rules, and alcohol use, etc.

Traffic safety is indeed important to many of us on a daily basis. During the past 2 years we lost 5 lives respectively during the Easter weekends. Last month we recorded 20 road fatalities in the Province of which 7 occurred in this area. We do hope that this figures will reduce significantly this year through:

  • Our special operations on our roads
  • Our new alcohol testers already distributed to all 10 traffic station
  • Our new speed machines that will be rolled out soon
  • Our law enforcement campaigns will be enhanced through the deployment of 20 National Traffic Police officers
  • Our new fleet of vehicles that will ensure the visibility of traffic officers throughout the Province

We have adopted a 365 day road safety program aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety global campaign.
The United Nations Decade of Action 2011-2020 aims to reduce the number of road deaths by half by 2020. We will focus on the following five pillars:

  • Impaired driving: We will be testing drivers for alcohol consumption and fatigue
  • Occupant safety: Make sure that driver and passengers are using seatbelts, especially “bakkie” and truck drivers
  • Dangerous driving: Ensure that road user obey the speed limit and check for dangerous overtaking
  • Pedestrian safety: Check for any unsafe road crossing, drunkenness, visibility and jay walking
  • Safer vehicles: Ensure driver and vehicle fitness as well as roadworthiness

What we wish to emphasise is the fact that each and every death on our roads is one too many, and that each and every death or serious injury is a tragedy for the individuals, the families and communities and for the nation.

We must continue to strive to increase respect for human life, and treat road carnage with the seriousness it deserves. More than 90 percent of deaths on the roads are caused due to a traffic violation. This is real crime, and communities and individuals must take responsibility for their behaviour and the behaviour of their families and friends in order for us to have a successful reduction in deaths on the road. This is not a problem for authorities to solve alone, because together we can turn the tide. The ANC manifesto is very clear that "Together we move South Africa forward". Road safety is a responsibility of all South Africans, the success of the road safety campaigns will undoubtedly depend on the role played by all stakeholders. Government alone cannot win the war. No matter how much resources are invested into the road safety campaign.

I am pleased to say that Arrive Alive Campaign is still going strong. Provincially, the traffic authorities are participating in the campaign and I trust that they will continue to do so without fail. I would like to appeal to enforcement officers today to please plan and undertake their law actions to address offences taking place on our roads in a regular and effective manner. History has shown that it is possible to make a successful contribution to the fight against road accidents. I appeal to all members of the community, to be patient with our law enforcers on the roads as they would be at work and in action.

Indeed as the ANC Led government we are proud of our achievements. We are certain that during this term we will further accelerate the pace of transformation for the benefit of our people. Road safety for us is not just an issue during this period. As I stated earlier, there are daily deaths and injuries on our roads, and the Easter period and closure of schools directs us to heightened road safety campaigns.

We wish to thank all those men and women in uniform as you will spend the upcoming holiday period working to keep us all safe. I refer to enforcement officers, emergency services and health personnel. We thank you for making this sacrifice for the benefit of road safety.

Lastly, we better warn those who are a law unto themselves that they should obey traffic rules or else they will face the full might of the law. We will leave no stone unturned as we tighten the grip on lawlessness on our roads.

Let us stand together to ensure the safety of every South African, especially on our roads as we move our country forward!

I thank you!!
Ke ya leboga!!

Air Force 1 Sage Low

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Office of the Premier 
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Kimberley 
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