The IFP has challenged the KZN MEC of Transport, Willies Mchunu to ensure that the high momentum to keep our roads safe during festive season becomes a 365-day practice if he is indeed serious about road safety and saving lives.
“If there is an estimated 20 000 law enforcement officials that have been deployed across the province what can convince the MEC to lower the number of these officials after the festive season. It is not as though road accidents only happen during festive seasons. The momentum of keeping our roads safe must be done on a daily basis not only during festive season,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala,MPL.
“It is time for the government to step in and act. We need, for instance, better enforcement to prevent bad user behaviour, improved statistical information to measure progress and success, well-maintained roads, and better education of all users including pedestrians. We believe more can be done to deal with the current situation,” continued Mr Gwala.
“Laws that are in place regarding speeding, un-roadworthy vehicles and drinking and driving must be strictly implemented. Not enough road users follow the rules. On a daily basis we all see drivers whose tyres are in a poor condition, who use their cell phones while driving, who don’t buckle up or who don’t obey the speed limit, or indeed any rules of the road. In many cases pedestrians walk across busy roads without looking or walk in the road when a pavement is available. These practices can be changed through ongoing education,” concluded Mr Gwala.
