Pretoria: Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport Dikeledi Magadzi has called on motorists to prioritise passenger safety this festive season.

“South Africa’s economy is oriented in such a manner that people have to travel long distances to far-flung places during the festive season in order to be with their loved ones … Motorists should exercise high levels of discipline and observe traffic laws as they are meant to protect everyone,” said Magadzi.

She said that as much as the Committee on Transport would want to wish everyone a safe festive season, there will be unfortunate incidents and fatalities.

“Motorists should exercise caution and be vigilant at all times when on the road.”

There were three major accidents at the weekend that claimed 15 lives ahead of the official start of the festive season. Just over a 1 000 fatalities were reported last year, nationally.

Magadzi said the committee was satisfied that the country has enough programmes to significantly lower fatalities and that the Department of Transport has demonstrated a commitment to achieving this.

“High visibility of law enforcement officers and regular stoppages should ensure the country does away with this perception that deaths on the roads are an acceptable thing in December. But also messaging on Arrive Alive ought to be enhanced this time around.

“Driver behaviour should not be dependent on the visibility of officers, but should be inherent. Resting when driving long distances is not a sign of being weak. Regular rests are a necessity,” Magadzi insisted.

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICAL NEWS