Transport Month, now in October, should be used to reflect on current challenges with regard to road safety. Safe transportation of people and goods should be a matter emphasised all year round so that lives are not lost needlessly due to crashes which are mostly avoidable.
The economic and social spinoffs derived from safe transport are massive. Many people are employed by the transport sector and billions are subsequently generated out of transport related activities. While opportunities are harnessed by many, loss of lives due to crashes should be curbed.
This is according to Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Pat Ngomane who was speaking in Mbombela today [3 October 2017]. The MEC further called for an increased collaboration by all players in the sector so that available resources are optimised for maximum impact.
“We need to ensure that that we plan together in order to rein in on the scourge of crashes and its devastating socio economic consequences on many families. We should work together along with the community in order to achieve the desired results,” added the MEC.
On the other hand, the MEC indicated that plans are afoot to implement the long awaited third shift for provincial traffic officers will come into effect before the end of the year. This is expected to contribute towards reduction of road crashes especially towards the Festive Season and beyond.
Hr explained that due to the magnitude of the project, all stakeholders had to be consulted including labour unions so that they buy in into the project and once a consensus is reached, the roll out of the plan will be implemented. He insisted that the move is further expected to support in eradicating stubbornly high number of road crashes that continue to place many people’s lives in great danger especially over the weekends and during holiday periods when most people take to the roads.
Reflecting on the development, he said law enforcement’s visibility will also be increased and as such more people will obey traffic rules and this will contribute towards safe road usage. Ngomane further warned drivers whose behaviour is inclined towards recklessness that traffic officers will not spare them any mercy but that they will be harshly dealt with.
MEC has further implored on members of the public to participate in promotion of road safety by observing traffic rules at all times, using the road considerately and also report those who deviate. He emphasized that road safety remains everybody’s business and government alone will not win.
Transport Month was first launched in October 2005 and usually during this month an emphasis is placed on safe transportation of people and goods hence road safety is also highlighted. The department will conduct various programmes that will include road blocks, road safety awareness programmes, rest stops and other general law enforcement operations. The focus for this year’s Transport Month activities will largely be placed on vehicle and driver fitness.
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