Speedy prosecution of traffic offenders will assist with promoting road safety- MEC Shongwe

Speedy prosecution of traffic offenders will assist with promoting road safety- MEC Shongwe

Those were the words by MEC Vusi Shongwe after Mpumslsnga road accidents claim many lives in a small space of unexpected time.

The speedy prosecution of traffic offenders in the province will assist in promoting road safety and curbing crashes that lead to death and injury on the road; this is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe.

Shongwe’s comments follow the arrest of 232 motorists for various offences in July for overloading, excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to pay traffic fines or appear in court. Other motorists were also nabbed for failing to produce valid documentation.

Shongwe said it was vital for law enforcement officers to bring traffic offenders to book but also critical for the Department of Justice to ensure that such offenders are swiftly prosecuted in order to demonstrate that government cannot tolerate any mischief on the road. The MEC has urged for maximum permissible sentences to be meted out at the offenders who are found guilty in order to deter would be offenders from violating traffic rules.

 “We all need to assist government to improve road safety by driving with caution and report those who are violating traffic rules. Owners of public transport vehicles must also assist in promoting road safety by ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy and that their drivers are fit to be on the road,” Shongwe said.

The traffic officials have also stopped and checked at least 115866 vehicles. 1849 of the stopped vehicles were heavy motor vehicles (HMVs). 5649 were busses while 15143 were minibuses and 43759 comprised of light delivery vehicles (LDV’s). The number also includes 44459 sedans, 5649 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and 3508 motor cycles. The traffic officers impounded 1222 and discontinued 948 vehicles which were not road worthy.

MEC Shongwe praised the officers saying that they should continue to work hard to bring to book any trouble makers on the road. He said such operations would continue to be intensified as part of improving law enforcement visibility while reducing road crashes.

He said that he was still reeling from shock following the death of eight people in a collision between a light delivery vehicle (LDV) sedan that took place on Saturday, 9 August 2014 on D501 Road between Thulamahashe and Dwarsloop. Four people sustained serious injuries and subsequently rushed to Mapulaneng Hospital.
Meanwhile another three people died when they were ran over by a truck yesterday on N4 Road near Komatipoort while they were pushing a mini-bus on the road. Five people sustained serious injuries and were referred to Tonga Hospital for treatment. It is believed the mini-bus has mechanical challenges at the time.

Shongwe is conveying condolences to the bereaved families and is also wishing those who were injured a speedy recovery. The MEC said the department will continue to work with all stakeholders and communities to bring an end to carnage on the road.