 
MEDIA STATEMENT
MEDIA STATEMENT BY KWAZULU-NATAL MEC FOR TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LIAISON MR. BHEKI CELE AT THE ROAD SAFETY MEDIA BRIEFING HELD AT HILTON HOTEL, DURBAN ON THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 2005.
ENFORCEMENT STATISTICS To date 381 drivers have been arrested for drunk driving, as compared to 120 in 2003. 1 140 Drivers were arrested for speeding, and 11 for reckless and negligent driving. Motorists were charged for more than 36 000 various traffic offences, and 1 050 vehicles were suspended for being in an unroadworthy condition. RTI Officers alone worked a total of about 120 000 hours and patrolled 795 911 kilometres. This resulted in KZN achieving a 17% reduction in road fatalities and a 12% reduction in road crashes during the past festive season as compared to 2003. Our success as the KZN Department of Transport lies with the commitment and dedication displayed by our law enforcement officers, and other relevant stakeholders. However, I wish to reiterate that one death on our roads, is still one too many. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ROAD BLOCKS The two major multi-disciplinary roadblocks held in Pietermaritzburg and Durban on the 10th and 11th December 2004, in which all law enforcement agencies participated resulted in 201 drunk drivers being arrested in just two days. This sent a very strong message to the motoring public that we mean business, and will not tolerate drunk driving in KwaZulu-Natal. More than 600 law enforcement personnel took part in each roadblock. ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC OFFICERS The deployment of 82 newly qualified traffic officers who graduated on 15th December 2004, after six months of intensive training, did much to boost morale and to increase our ability to deliver targeted law enforcement services. SAPS RESERVISTS A pilot project was held in Pietermaritzburg where SAPS reservist officers were deployed on a daily basis to patrol together with RTI officers. This increased the number of patrol units available for enforcement and improved efficiency. This project will be rolled out to other areas for the forthcoming Easter period. CARD VERIFICATION DEVICES (CVD’S) This state of the art technology added tremendous clout to the improved data available to law enforcement officers at the roadside. A few of these devices were also made available to SAPS accident units’ province-wide. With this device officers are able to check:
PEDESTRIANS More than 420 pedestrians were arrested for walking on freeways. In this regard, problem areas still exist. More education programmes will be implemented. Also, more remedial engineering measures will be put in place to pedestrian proof national roads at certain areas such as the N2 Prospecton and S J Smith Hostel area. ROADSIDE COURTS Four roadside courts were in operation on the N3 at Cato Ridge and Bergville, and the N2 at Umdhloti and Park Rynie. Since 1 December 2004, more than 980 motorists appeared before the Magistrates at the various roadside courts. Certain roadside courts will be in session this weekend and will continue up until 31st January 2005. FREIGHT TRANSPORT INCIDENTS The cost of delays to the economy caused by roads that have to be closed due to “Lost Loads”, is substantial and the inconvenience is frustrating. One of many such incidents occurred on the N3 between Bergville and Tugela River, where a heavy motor vehicle laden with beer bottles dropped about 22 cases of beer onto the roadway, resulting in the N3 (southbound) carriageway being closed for almost six hours for a clean-up operation. TRADING ON FREEWAYS A law enforcement exercise was held at the Mvoti Toll Plaza where 36 fruit vendors were arrested and charged for being on the freeway, as well as for trading alongside the roadway. CO-OPERATIVE JUSTICE As of 1 January 2005, the prescribed admission of guilt fines throughout KZN have been increased, and approved accordingly by the respective Chief Magistrates. R617 BOSTON/BULWER SUCCESS The R617 has been accident free since 1 December 2004, due to the deployment of the PTEU along this route. Buses and taxis conveying mainly migrant workers to and from Gauteng and other provinces mainly use this route. MOST RECENT SPEEDING CONVICTION Mr. Anthony Mckleary of Pietermaritzburg was arrested on Sunday (16/01/2005) after he was caught speeding at 220 km/h with a Suzuki motorcycle on the N2 at Ellingham. He also did not have a valid motorcycle licence and was arrested. He appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrates Court yesterday (19/01/2005) and was fined R20 000 or six months imprisonment suspended for five years. He was ordered to immediately deposit R8 000 into the Tsunami Disaster Fund. CONCLUSION Finally, ladies and gentlemen allow me to ask you a question? Do you think everything in your life is perfect as it is? Or are there some changes you would make if you had the chance? If the answer is “yes” then you have everything you need to be a road safety activist. Let us spread the message of road safety and reduce road carnage. Join us in our efforts to save lives. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a safe 2005.
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