The City’s Public Safety Department has launched a festive season road safety campaign with an emphasis on zero tolerance for negligent and drunk driving. The launch took place on Tuesday, 15 November on the N1 south at the Buccleuch Interchange as part of a broader effort to reduce road fatalities and promote responsible driving on the City’s roads during the looming holiday season.
Cllr David Tembe, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, has warned motorists travelling in and through Johannesburg to obey the law.
“Do not get into a festive mood this holiday season beyond what the City’s bylaws permit,” Cllr Tembe advised.
He was accompanied by the department’s Head of Public Safety, Tebogo Modiba, the acting Chief of Police of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Maxwell Khanyile, the Chief of Emergency Management Services (EMS), Tshepo Makola, and other high-ranking officials.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Gauteng Traffic Police, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and officials from South African Breweries were among those who attended the launch.
With the holiday season quickly approaching after a tumultuous year, no one can blame anyone for wanting to hit the open road and “let their hair down” at their favourite vacation spots. MMC Tembe, on the other hand, urges motorists to be cautious on the road.
He said the department launched the road safety campaign ahead of the holiday season in order to raise awareness of the high number of accidents on the City’s road network.
Officers have identified drunk driving as the leading cause of road fatalities, followed by texting while driving.
“When we start talking about road safety during this time of year, fatal car accidents are usually at the top of our list. As a result, we saw it as critical to host an event like this, which aims to have a positive impact through awareness and education,” Cllr Tembe explained.
About 10 accident hotspots in Johannesburg have been identified, with the plan to deploy JMPD offices there 24 hours a day, seven days a week to try to reduce potential accidents.
“Visibility is the way to go,” MMC Tembe said.
Men and women in uniform are expected to be visible in all regions this festive season, conducting what’s termed 22, 44, and 88 roadside checks to enforce the City’s bylaws.
“We are going to save lives and protect the Joburg community.”
The JMPD has partnered with South African Breweries to reduce drunk driving incidents on the roads by donating seven Alcohol Evidential Unit vehicles last month.
To ensure the safety of all road users, the units will be deployed during stop and search operations to determine the level of alcohol consumption in motorists.
“We need a change of behaviour in our country,” said Mduduzi Lokotfwako, the SAB Director of Government Affairs and Stakeholder Relations.
“As a big entity it is very important for us to champion responsible drinking in South Africa,” Lokotfwako added, sharing Cllr Tembe’s sentiments.
The City has called on all motorists in Johannesburg to avoid driving while drunk as it destroys people’s lives and livelihoods.
Written by Bongiwe Radebe and Dakalo Ramudidibi
15/11/2022