/ 23 November 2007

Govt launches plan to improve road safety

A ”Rolling Enforcement Plan” was launched by the Department of Transport at the Heidelberg traffic control centre on Friday to improve road safety during the festive season.

”The main aim of this event is to promote cooperation between different law enforcement agencies,” said Mawethu Vilana, speaking on behalf of Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

”For many South Africans, the festive season is associated with loss … as a country we are faced with a battle to improve the road safety record … the government alone will not win this battle,” Vilana said.

He said the Rolling Enforcement Plan was a product of the law enforcement technical committee, where all provinces, metros and other local authorities strategised on how to coordinate law enforcement activities to improve effectiveness.

”The added advantage is that all role players (provinces, metros and municipalities) have agreed to work in a coordinated manner,” he said.

Some of the plan’s special focus areas are: driver fitness, documentation, fatigue and alcohol abuse, moving violations, barrier lines, red-light infringements, cellphones, over-speeding, overloading, passenger and freight transport vehicles. — Sapa