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Traffic official flags down a vehicle
Traffic authorities in the Western Cape have issued a stern warning to drunk drivers and speedsters, ahead of the festive season.
Intensified traffic operations will form part of the Provincial Mobility Department’s Festive Season Road Safety Campaign. The campaign was launched at Moorreesburg on the West Coast, on Friday.
Traffic officials will be out in full force this festive season and other law enforcement agencies will be supporting them on the roads.
Roadblocks will be conducted at hotspot areas to prevent driver fatigue and check for unroadworthy vehicles.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku says, “What we need to do now is just amplify what we have been doing throughout the year and making sure we become more visible. We stop being static. You know there are more patrols, especially in our hot areas. People are so familiar to know where the cameras are and then they will slow down and then after the camera, they will start again. So, we are trying to deal with those issues. And in terms of data that we have using now to actually identify where should we actually deploy resources so that we can actually see a decrease in terms of our road fatalities, especially during this season.”
The campaign includes measures to keep all road users safe and to encourage responsible behaviour on the roads.
Senior Traffic Manager in the Transport Department, Vigie Chetty says the spotlight will fall on drunk drivers and those speeding to get to their destinations.
“So, we’ve got the fear of the drunken drivers. We know that people will be rushing to their destinations so speed is also one of the things we will focus on. Also, very close to our heart is the pedestrians and the amount of pedestrians we are losing every day.”
Around 130 people died on Western Cape roads over the last festive season. Provincial authorities say pedestrian fatalities remain a major concern.
Education and awareness activities on road safety are being ramped up ahead of the busy holiday period.
