We have decided to bring this Event here in Mankweng, because our
records indicate that there is a great number of fatalities, that are
taking place on this part of the R 71 road, more than anywhere else,
in this Province.
We took the decision to launch the 2022 Festive Season Road Safety
Campaign, here in Mankweng, because we want to demonstrate that
as Government we care about our people.
This launch coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against the abuse
of women and children, a period marked to raise awareness and to
call upon men in our society, to desist from killing women and
children.
It is therefore befitting, that we must use this occasion, of the Launch
of the Road Safety Campaign, to say to our men and boys, that, ‘as you
continue to drive safe on our roads, you must also not abuse our
women and children’.
About 3 weeks ago, South Africa witnessed a horrific fatality, in which
9 members of the Sethe family died, on the N1 Road, while driving
home for a family wedding.
Programme Director, as we launch this Festive Season Road Safety
Campaign, we want to pass our condolences to the Sethe family, who
are residing here in Nobody Village, and many other families of victims
who perished on our roads.
We will keep them in our prayers, and want to make a commitment
that, ‘as Government, we will do everything possible, to make our
roads as safe as possible’.
Research shows that the R 71 road is the second most dangerous road,
nationally, when it comes to pedestrians who are killed by motor
vehicles.
So, our launch of this programme targeting the people of Mankweng,
Nobody, Mentz, Ga Makanye, Ga Mothapo, Ga Mothiba, Ga Molepo,
Ga Mamabolo, Moremadi, Mamadimo and many other villages, is
based on this research.
The Limpopo Province is amongst the top 5 Provinces in the Country,
with the highest number of fatalities, together with KwaZulu-Natal,
Gauteng, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
I know most of you might think, that Road Safety Campaigns must be
targeted towards Motorists, because they are the ones who are
always on the road.
But the opposite is actually the truth, because throughout the years,
a great number of fatalities on our roads, involved pedestrians.
The past few years have seen significant decreases in the number of
fatalities on our roads, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But now that our lives are back to normal, there will be increased
numbers of people on our roads, as people will be travelling for a
number of reasons, during the Festive Season.
We have invited Pastors and Priests to this occasion, because we are
well aware that this problem also requires divine intervention, in
addition to our own wisdom.
We therefore call upon members of the clergy and church leaders, to
make Road Safety, a prayer item, in their churches.
The fatalities on the R71 stretch might sound sporadic, because they
do not happen every-day, but over a period of time, they are too many
to count.
We are aware, that a lot of fatalities happen from Nobody towards
Mentz along the R 71 road, and this is of concern to us as Government.
A few weeks ago, a female pedestrian was killed around Nobody, after
being hit by a motor vehicle.
We have also noted high numbers of people, who are jay-walking on
the road, especially at night, and this also contributes to the high rate
of pedestrian fatalities, on the road.
The Festive season is characterized by high traffic volumes, high
demand for long distance travelling due to holidaymaking, tourist
travellers, schools’ closures, migrants returning home, people
attending weddings and religious gatherings in celebration of the
Christmas holiday.
What makes Limpopo Province peculiar compared to other parts of
the country, is our ever-busy national road, the N1, which connects
South Africa and Zimbabwe and the rest of the African continent.
The R71 is also having its fair share of high traffic volumes, because it
connects Polokwane to the Great ZCC Church, and is also a preferred
road, for travellers between Polokwane and Phalaborwa.
We will be dispatching a battalion of our Officers on the Roads, during
this period, who will be visible, on a 24-hour basis.
But there is no amount of Police visibility that can prevent these road
fatalities, if we as citizens, do not take care of ourselves.
Road Safety starts with us.
There are many reasons for us to choose the Festive Season, as a
period where we heighten our operations – to ensure that our people
remain safe.
Most people have excess money during this period, and this leads to
increased levels of alcohol consumption, as people will be engaged in
various forms of entertainment.
Schools are closed at this period, and most children will be loitering
on the streets, walking to the Malls, and other places.
Holiday makers are also travelling in high numbers to various
destinations, and this leads to increased traffic volumes on our roads.
Amongst these motorists, there are some who are driving under the
influence of alcohol, who are also contributing to the high number of
fatalities on our roads.
We are not going to have any mercy, on people who are going to
deliberately disregard our traffic laws.
Those who are going to drink and drive, must know that they will be
locked up in jail.
Over the next few days, I will be joining our Traffic Officials as we will
be conducting a number of road block operations, throughout the
Province.
I will be joining these operations, to ensure that those who are found
to be on the wrong side of the law, will not receive any favours from
anyone.
During this period, crime is also on the rise, because some
opportunistic elements use this period to take advantage of our
people, who will be doing various forms of shopping.
Those who are leaving their homes, to go on holiday, must also leave
someone behind.
We also appeal to you, not to carry large amounts of cash, at this
period, because criminals are also out in their numbers to make a
‘quick buck’.
We have lost a number of lives, because most motorists and their
passengers ignore the use of safety belts, as they travel.
I know, passengers in minibus taxis, do not use seat-belts, at all. Seat
belts reduce the risk of death and injuries, in motor vehicle accidents
by up to 50%.
If you do not wear your seatbelts, you are likely to be ejected out of
the car, if it crashes or overturns.
There is a culture of overloading amongst our motorists, which does
not only damage our road infrastructure, but it also contributes to
accidents.
It is common along the N1 Stretch, between Gauteng and the Beit
Bridge, and for this Festive period, I will personally be joining a few
operations that will be dealing with that.
A big number of motor vehicles involved in most accidents, are also
not in a roadworthy state.
Motorists also have an obligation to check on the state of their
vehicles, and their suitability to be on the road.
These include checking on the brakes, the tyre conditions, and other
mechanical issues like steering wheels and suspensions.
There are any motor vehicles accidents which are attributed to tyre
punctures, and the reason for this, is neglect.
We must all make a habit of conducting pre-trip inspections,
everytime when we travel.
A number of accidents, are caused by Drivers who get distracted,
because they use cellphones while behind the steering-wheel. Human
factors are largely the main contributors to main of our accidents on
the roads.
Let me conclude by wishing you a Happy Christmas and prosperous
- We need you to be alive and safe, in order to build this country’s
democracy.
Don’t drink and drive.
Don’t drink and walk.
Drive within the speed limit.
Always wear your safety belt.
Have enough rest on long trips.
And Keeo a safe following distance.
I thank you.
