Strong response to drag racing deaths

By Khanyisa Tabata
05 April 2011

The Transport Department says it is already doing everything in its power to stop the carnage on South Africa’s roads.

This is after criticism was laid on traffic officials when an illegal drag racing incident in Pretoria left three people dead on Sunday.

Department spokesperson Logan Maistry says their “Make Roads Safe” campaign has resulted in more than two-point-five-million fines being issued, and more than 10-thousand drunk drivers being arrested.

Maistry says South Africans should start taking responsibility for their behaviour on the road.

But the Automobile Association says illegal street racing on Voortrekker Street has been going on for a decade or more.

Spokesperson Gary Ronald says it has become a customary Sunday evening’s entertainment for thousands of spectators who line the street exposing themselves to the danger of illegal racers losing control of their vehicles.

He says despite the authorities being well aware of the problem, very little action has been taken to counter it.