South Africa Tightens the Noose on Road Offenders During Festive Season

South Africa is intensifying its road safety measures as the festive season approaches, a time notoriously plagued by an increase in traffic violations and accidents. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga made it clear in a recent statement at the festive season campaign launch in Tsakane that the government would be adopting a stringent stance against motorists flouting traffic laws, specifically those driving without number plates.

The six-point plan unveiled by Chikunga includes measures against pedestrian unsafety, ensuring vehicle roadworthiness, tackling the issue of overloaded public transport, combatting drunken driving, speeding, and the execution of warrants. By focusing on these critical areas, the transport department aims to significantly reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on South African roads during the holiday season.

Chikunga’s plan draws on a comparative analysis of accident statistics from the previous year, which showcased a drop in crashes and fatalities during the festive season, signaling a positive impact of rigorous road safety campaigns. The department’s long-term goal, aligned with the United Nations' global target, is to halve these numbers by 2030.

Determined to sustain the momentum of decreased road incidents, each province has been tasked with specific targets as part of a year-round Road Safety Campaign. High-risk provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga - which collectively account for over 80% of the country’s road mishaps and fatalities, will have heightened safety measures in place. Among these measures, night-time traffic officer deployment and safety activations will be entrenched to advance pedestrian safety.

The measures extend to arterials of international travel with authorities ensuring thorough monitoring of compliance at major ports of entry, such as Beitbridge and Lebombo. The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency is gearing up for a festive influx, screening vehicles entering and departing South Africa, thus casting a wide safety net reaching beyond the borders of the country.

Corruption within the traffic department, particularly around the festive season, has been pinpointed as a hindrance to safety efforts. Chikunga stressed a zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt practices, promising rigorous deployment of anti-corruption agents and the stern prosecution of both bribe givers and takers.

To manage traffic flow during peak travel times, corridor operations will link border-sharing provinces, while increased vigilance will be assigned to 24 routes known for high crash and fatality rates.

This multi-pronged approach delineated by Minister Chikunga is not just about punishment and enforcement but is part of a larger narrative of preventive measures and compliance, ensuring road safety for all users during one of the busiest times of the year.