MEC Carlisle: Horror crashes highlights urgent need for whole society approach

Imogen Vollenhoven

11 September 2013

The Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle said road deaths are once again in the spotlight. 

In the province in the past weekend 19 people died on the roads an increase from 15 deaths recorded same time last year. 

Carlisle said there is a reduction in road deaths since the beginning of 2009. 

Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said they are  working to address the carnage on the roads, their approach has been squarely focussed on the basic principles of; safe roads, safe people, safe speeds and safe cars, and to keep the focus firmly on changing behaviour and attitudes towards safe and responsible road use.

“We know that very little can change until people change, and begin to religiously comply with the rules of the road, as opposed to disregarding them with impunity,” added Dube.

He said this is a blatant disregard of the law, and that it requires everyone to make the roads safer as arrogance and negligence places many lives in danger and results in the carnage that is experienced on the roads.

We will continue to make drink driving and speeding the key focus of weekend enforcement blitzes, as such errant behaviour must be curbed in order to save lives.