WC Mobility targets alcohol, fatigue, public transport and speed, this festive season

The Western Cape’s Mobility Department says close to 600 traffic officers will be out in full force this festive season.

On Friday, MEC Ricardo Mackenzie launched the province’s festive season road safety plan.

‘’In your mind’s eye, picture the 583 Provincial Traffic Officers who will be deployed across the Western Cape this Festive Season. These men and women won’t have a Christmas holiday with their families. No braai, no visit to the beach, no opening gifts with kids. They will be in their patrol vehicles keeping the N2, N1, or another route safe, for you.’’

‘’The influx of traffic into and out of the Western Cape will surge dramatically over the next few weeks. Our Officers will be working hard to ensure that everyone reaches their destination and their loved ones safely,’’ added Mackenzie.

PHOTO COURTESY - X: @WCGovSafelyHome - WC Mobility MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie

The MEC says the road safety plan aims to implement preventive measures to reduce the number of fatalities and car crashes on the road.

‘’Every time there is a fatal traffic crash on our roads it is devastating. Devastating for the families of the victims, for the officials and first responders on the scene, and for those of us receiving the message. It is most devastating because these tragic incidents are so often preventable,’’ said Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Mobility MEC.

‘’Our Western Cape Mobility Department has an intensive, multi-pronged approach to road safety. In theory, the significant resources dedicated to road safety should eradicate traffic crashes and fatalities. But we are human beings, and our reality and behaviour are not theoretical.

‘’We take chances, push the boundaries, and operate in denial of the very real risks around the corner. We believe we can get away with dangerous behaviour just one more time, and we justify it with pressured schedules, impatience or false necessity. Preventing traffic crashes requires concerted efforts and discipline from all road users,’’ added Mackenzie.

PHOTO COURTESY - X: @WCGovSafelyHome 

He emphasised that it takes a whole of society approach to reduce the number of fatalities on the province’s roads.

‘’The remarkable efforts of our officials – not to mention all the other road safety role players and resources we have in our province – are not enough. Each road user, each one of us, has to come to the party. Changing our behaviour and complying with the rules of the road.’’

Mackenzie says officials will particularly focus on alcohol, fatigue, public transport and speed.

Daily operations across all districts in the province will include:

 • High visibility patrols monitoring moving violation offences;

• Speed enforcement, including Average Speed Over Distance monitoring; and

• Roadblocks to detect drunk driving, driver fatigue, and passenger overloading; as well as enforcing seat belt usage; and checking documentation, driver fitness, and vehicle fitness.

PHOTO COURTESY - X: @WCGovSafelyHome 

‘’I want to emphasise that while our teams have an enhanced programme of operations during these critical periods, they tackle the issue of road safety 365 days a year. These interventions are conducted on an ongoing basis,’’ said Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Mobility MEC.

‘’The core function of our Traffic Management Chief Directorate is to reduce road fatalities and crashes on provincial routes by ensuring that all road users comply with the rules of the road and prioritise road safety as their own personal responsibility,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George