WC Transport & Public Works MEC launches Holiday Easter Safety Plan 2023

The Western Cape’s Mobility MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, has called on road users to be cautious on the roads this Easter Weekend.

The provincial department launched its Holiday Road Safety Plan at the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell, on Monday. Thirty-six people died on the province’s roads during the Easter period in 2022.

‘’The school holiday has started and many families are preparing to travel. At this time of year, there is a considerable increase in traffic volumes, which means we need to be on high alert to avoid accidents. My wish is that all families will arrive at, and return from, their holiday destination safely this year,’’ said Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape’s Mobility MEC.

COURTESY:  Twitter - @WCGovSafelyHome

As part of the holiday safety plan, the provincial department is offering free vehicle fitness testing at the Gene Louw Traffic College until Wednesday.

‘’Provincial Traffic Services are taking a new, proactive approach to help motorists prepare for traveling over the holiday period, by offering free Vehicle Fitness Testing to check tyres, lights, brakes, suspension, CV joints, electrical, fuel supply system, exhaust, wipers, and licence disc,’’ said Mackenzie.

COURTESY:  Twitter - @WCGovSafelyHome

The MEC said traffic officials will monitor whether motorists are abiding the rules of the road, through its province-wide network of licence-plate reading cameras monitoring road traffic, which detects road traffic infringements, contraventions and crime, including unroadworthy, unlicensed, and off-route vehicles; cloned number plates; fatigued drivers; and vehicles known to be involved in crime.

‘’Instant alerts from this system are sent to officers’ handheld devices to enable rapid response and interception,’’ said Mackenzie.

He shared some tips to make holiday drives safe, apart from ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy before you hit the road:

1. Make sure everyone is buckled up - this will massively reduce the chances of serious injury if something goes wrong.

2. Every 200km, or two hours, take a break to reduce fatigue so you don’t nod off while driving.

3. Speeding is tempting on a long journey, but it can be deadly. Just take it slow - can a couple of hours really be worth a life?

4. It goes without saying that alcohol and drugs do not mix well with roads. Avoiding this combination can make the difference between life and death.

‘’Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is up to each one of us, whether a driver, a passenger or a pedestrian, to be the change we want to see on the roads. One of the most important things to do, before even leaving home, is to check your vehicle and make sure it is safe for being on the road.’’

‘’ If we want to see any meaningful reduction in road deaths and trauma in our province, we all need to take a long hard look at our driving behaviour. Taking chances, speeding, disobeying road rules and driving under the influence - amongst many other irresponsible behaviours we see on a daily basis - put the lives and safety of all road users at risk. There is simply no excuse. The stakes are too high.

‘’This holiday period, let’s make these changes so that everyone will arrive home safely after the holiday,’’ concluded Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape’s Mobility MEC.

 

Done By: Mitchum George