MEDIA STATEMENT

KZN ACHIEVES 27, 66% REDUCTION IN ROAD FATALITIES DURING THE EASTER WEEK-END

Preliminary figures indicate that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has achieved a 27, 66% reduction in road deaths for the Easter holiday period this year as compared to the same period last year. 34 people (7 drivers, 8 passengers and 19 pedestrians) were killed on the province’s road this year as compared to 47 last year.

Stringent law enforcement has yielded success with the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) alone charging motorists for more than 9 600 traffic offences for the period 26 March to 12 April 2004. More than 300 drivers were arrested for offences including drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding and professional drivers who were not in possession of the necessary operating permits.

In a report released by RTI today, the following are some of the highlights for the period 26 March to 12 April 2004:

• 40 232 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked.
• 212 vehicles were removed from the province's roads for being un-roadworthy.
• 25 681 drivers were screened for alcohol.
• 12 826 trucks were screened for overloading.
• A total of 282 cases were heard at our Road Side Courts at Park Rynie, Umdhloti, Bergville and Cato Ridge.
• RTI officers alone worked a total of 31 225 hours and patrolled 236 104 kilometres.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele has congratulated all law enforcement officers including the SAPS, SANDF and local authority enforcement agencies for their commitment and hard work. However, Ndebele cautioned that the number of pedestrian deaths still remained a cause for concern. "Although one life lost on our roads is still one too many, the cooperation received from the majority of our road users this Easter is commendable and should continue every day to create sustained public awareness about the impact and effects of road crashes. We are currently reviewing our strategies to deal with pedestrian road deaths and to ascertain what further measures must be implemented to curtail such fatalities," Ndebele said.

Ndebele appealed to people to join hands with government to consolidate on the values and norms of road safety and develop a culture of tolerance to ensure peace on our roads.

As we go to the polls tomorrow, traffic officials in KZN will be out in full force. "It is my only desire that each traveller reaches their destination safely. The roads are expected to be busy over the next few days and my plea is for patience on the roads. Bus and taxi owners must show responsibility and morality to their clients by providing them with safe journeys," Ndebele said.

"We are not shy about pulling off vehicles which are not roadworthy. It's enough that we have to deal with speedsters, people driving without licences and jaywalking pedestrians. But vehicles that are death traps will not be allowed on the roads. That I promise," said Ndebele.

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