Road Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

The Department of Transport and Public Works is doing everything in its power to create safer, booze-free roads during the festive season and beyond. However, we cannot do it alone. We expect all road users to play their part by practising good road safety habits.

This includes not drinking and driving, buckling up all vehicle occupants on every trip, not speeding, not using a cellphone while driving, and not driving when tired. Dangerous driving behaviour, such as tailgating and unsafe overtaking, is a quick way to becoming a road crash fatality.

We play our part by conducting ongoing road safety awareness and education initiatives, traffic law enforcement operations such as roadblocks with key road safety agencies and en route inspections, as well as road traffic engineering to ensure that signs are visible, camera equipment is functional and roads are of a high quality.

Since Monday, 21 December 2015, Provincial Traffic Services stopped a total of 5 893 vehicles in roadblocks. Alcohol breath-testing was performed on 969 motorists and three were arrested for being over the limit. The highest breath alcohol reading was recorded in Brackenfell. At 1,28 mg of alcohol/ 1 000 ml of breath, this is over five times the legal limit of 0,24 mg/ 1 000 ml.

In addition, a total of 6 001 vehicles were screened for speeding and 2 746 speeding offences were recorded. A total of 414 fines in the amount of 223 700 were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver fitness violations to vehicle fitness infringements of the law.

The highest speeds were recorded on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (170 km/h in a 120 km/h zone), on the N1 in the Worcester service area (128 km/h in a 100 km/h zone) and on the N1 in the Brackenfell service area (135 km/h in an 80 km/h zone).

Over a million vehicles have passed Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) cameras since the start of December 2015. A total of 189 570 vehicles have travelled over the speed limit, or are unroadworthy, or are unlicensed.

The festive season weekend is approaching and many road users are in a hurry to wrap up their last-minute shopping. Although this is a time filled with happiness and celebration, increased traffic volumes mean the holiday season can also be a time of danger for road users. The roads are busier. Drivers may be distracted by their holiday “to do” lists. Many public transport users will be on the road. Greater demand for goods and services means more delivery vehicles.

We urge drivers to be extra careful. Always obey the rules of the road – they are there for good reason. If you’re going to a party, make sure you don’t drink and drive. There are safer ways to get home.

Always buckle up. Wearing a seatbelt is a legal requirement and research shows that it makes drivers, passengers and bystanders much safer. As you rush to get to a party, a family gathering or a shopping mall, you may be tempted to speed. This significantly increases the risk of a crash.

The Department’s traffic officers are on alert day and night throughout the festive season. They are showing zero tolerance for any breach of the traffic safety laws. A speeding ticket will cost you money; a crash could cost a life.

Pull off the road if your feel tired. You could kill yourself or others if you fall asleep behind the wheel. Take turns driving with another licensed driver. Take regular breaks.

Stopping on a freeway is illegal. Do not stop on a freeway unless it is essential. You could get a fine and you could expose yourself to danger. Make sure that your vehicle has enough fuel before you leave, and that it is roadworthy.

All road users carry a responsibility for road safety, and good driving and pedestrian habits are essential. We can help to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads if we all work together and show consideration and respect for fellow road users.