MEC Jacob Mamabolo has appealed to road users to change their attitudes and behaviour in an effort to reduce fatalities.
The MEC was speaking at the launch of Hlokomela Ndlelanhle, the province’s Road Safety Campaign, a partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government and major minibus taxi associations, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA).
The campaign kicked off with joint law-enforcement operations on the N12 and Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1 south of Johannesburg. The MEC and taxi leadership interacted with motorists and pleaded with them to always observe and adhere to the rules of the road.
We are appealing to motorists to change their conduct on the roads to assist us in drastically reducing road fatalities. They should refrain from using cellphones while driving, not speed, refrain from reckless overtaking and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy cautioned the MEC.
They have also been emphasizing the importance of inspecting vehicles for roadworthiness as well as sharing information on public road safety.
MEC Mamabolo added that the Department has also entered into an agreement with Gerotek, a subsidiary of Armscor, to introduce advanced driving training in the taxi industry.
This is the first step in our efforts to change driver behaviour on our roads. We have decided that the taxi industry, as a major people mover in our province, should lead the programme to reskill our drivers. We have come to a realisation that there are weaknesses in driver training and advanced driving is a major step towards improving the driving skills on our roads, Mamabolo said.
The campaign was also taken to the N1 and N4 on the northern parts of the City of Tshwane in partnership with Bakwena Company. The company is responsible for designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the Bakwena N1 and N4 freeways.
In their message of support, SANTACO’s Midday Mali indicated that the association is in full support of the road safety campaign and thanked the Provincial Government for partnering with the taxi industry.
He added that the association is embarking on a number of rank activations to reinforce the road safety messages to drivers.
GNTA’s Mr Thami Buthelezi shared Mali’s sentiments adding that they will encourage their drivers to take regular rests when driving long distances and ensure vehicles are roadworthy.
MEC added that in the coming weeks, we will be in every corner of the province spreading the message of road safety.
Source: Gauteng Province