Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Community Safety as the lead department in the implementation of road safety strategy in the province remains committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers on Gauteng roads. Despite various road safety measures in place, Gauteng roads continue to experience growing incidents of fatal crashes. The department has noticed concerted efforts aimed at derailing the work of law enforcement on our roads by reckless and negligent drivers who do not have regard for the rules and regulations of the road. The conduct of these drivers resulted in two Gauteng traffic police officers losing their lives.
Firstly, it was an accident that claimed the life of Gauteng traffic police officer Poppy Moaka, who was attached to the Motorbike Unit of the Special Law Enforcement Unit. The officer passed away on September 14, 2021, in a fatal accident on the R566 Rosslyn Road next to Nkwe Estate while escorting a bus carrying Covid-19 vaccines to a vaccination site in Tshwane.
As if this is not enough, officer Moses Noza Mathebula passed away in a tragic incident involving an unroadworthy taxi on the R551 road. Officer Mathebula was deployed at the Vereeniging regional office. He met his untimely death while conducting a roadside checkpoint on September 29, 2021. He was hit by a taxi and later died in Clinix Naledi-Nkanyezi private hospital due to critical injuries.
These are worrying incidents by any stretch of the imagination. Motorists are continuously conducting themselves with impunity on Gauteng roads. Irresponsible and reckless driving cut shot the lives of Gauteng traffic police officers. The department has observed that drivers often do not obey the rules of the road and generally don’t adhere to the speed limit. Another factor contributing to the fatal crashes resulting in the loss of lives is that of vehicles which are not roadworthy. The rule of not drinking and driving must be adhered to by all road users if we want are to realise a safer road environment in the province.
It is critical that motorists be encouraged to make alternative transport arrangements if under the influence of alcohol. It cannot be right that traffic officers who are supposed to ensure safer road spaces are the ones who are subjected to road traffic accidents resulting in the loss of life caused by unruly drivers. The constant disregard for road traffic rules cannot continue unabated. These reckless drivers must face the full might of the law for their actions. This phenomenon must be dealt with decisively and road traffic violators must be punished.
While we are heading through the heightened festive season period, road safety will continue to be under the spotlight since it is matter of grave concern to the provincial government. A sharp increase in vehicular traffic on our roads is expected, especially in long distance travelling.
Unfortunately, during this period, many valuable lives are continuously being lost as a result of road traffic accidents. This is concerning because most road accidents can be prevented as they are usually caused by human error. The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue to deploy officers, particularly in areas normally characterised by high frequency fatal road crashes or hazardous locations.
The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue in its noble job to always keep in check vehicle roadworthiness and driver fitness as important components in reducing road safety. As Gauteng, we must wage a war against road fatalities. The department through the Road Safety Education Unit will reach out to public transport operators and passengers at various public transport hubs to inform and educate them on the importance of road safety. These kinds of initiatives will result in pedestrian and drivers’ safety on high-risk routes.
The department calls upon the law enforcement authorities to act decisively in dealing with those drivers who do not comply with the rules of the road and appeal to road users to be vigilant, patient and to adhere to the rules of the road to save the lives of passengers.
Hlulani Mashaba is the Acting Deputy Director for Media Relations at the Gauteng Department of Community Safety.