MEC Nomandla Bloem launched the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign, on 8 December 2023, at the N12 Weighbridge, Kimberley.
Joined by SAPS Deputy Provincial Commissioner Maj Gen Mmantsheke Lekhele, who indicated that sharp focus will be placed on those who drive under the influence of alcohol, driving unroadworthy vehicles, not using safety belts and other traffic related crimes.
During this critical time, however, members will also focus on the combatting of drug related crimes, contact crimes, stolen goods, stolen firearms and ammunition, stolen vehicles, livestock related crimes, human trafficking, the transportation of illegal goods, burglaries and other priority crimes.
The Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison will intensify its December Road Safety Campaign with an Action Plan at critical routes. An Integrated Festive Season Operational Plan has been developed that will see the deployment of Provincial and Municipal officers as well as the South African Police Service as force multipliers.
As always, our operations will involve multi-disciplinary teams and strategies tailor-made for this time of the year. Our broad Operational Plan and Road Safety Education Operations demand that all Law Enforcement Officers and stakeholders be on the roads to ensure we achieve reductions in fatalities and accidents, as always, with a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness.
The focus of this year’s campaign in on the impact of alcohol on road user behaviour and its contribution to accidents. We must ensure smooth flow of traffic as well as preventing negligent and reckless driving.
Our fatal crashes are caused mainly by human factors. Some of these are driving/walking under the influence of alcohol, speeding, cell-phone use while driving, not wearing seatbelts, dangerous overtaking, unfit vehicles, pedestrian negligence, fatigue, vehicle overloading and jay walking.
As per our analysis, we appeal to our road users to remain vigilant, especially Thursday night until Friday morning; Sunday night until Monday morning - especially between 16:00 and 02:00.
Before engaging with road users and drivers, MEC also handed over 7 traffic vehicles to bolster visibility and law enforcement over the period.
Buckle up. Take rest breaks.Don't drink and drive and #ArriveAlive
