Provincial Traffic Declares War on Unsafe School Transport | Western Cape Government

News

Provincial Traffic Declares War on Unsafe School Transport

15 September 2010

Following the recent tragic accident where ten (10) young learners lost their lives while being transported to school, Western Cape Provincial Traffic has increased law enforcement operations in an attempt to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.

Over the past four days our officers have pulled over a total of one hundred and thirty five (135) school buses, including minibus taxis used for the purpose of transporting learners to and from school.

During these operations which were carried out across the province, seven (7) buses were taken off the road for being unroadworthy. A further seven (7) buses were in the hands of unlicenced drivers. We will not hesitate to revoke operating licences when the guilty parties don't comply, as these licences are granted subject to very specific conditions - roadworthiness and a valid driver's licence are not negotiable.

Just like Provincial Traffic took a stand against drunk drivers through our Safely Home campaign, so too will we take a stand against non-compliant operators and drivers who are tasked with transporting learners to and from school. As with our regular alcohol blitz road blocks, we will increase these operations until we succeed in changing the attitudes and behaviour of drivers and operators.

We are working in conjunction with the Western Cape Education Department and together we are committed to doing everything in our power to protect the lives of innocent children whose parents rely on external parties to carry their precious cargo safely, while still getting them to school on time.

Operators and drivers who do not comply will be dealt a harsh blow. There will be no mercy and I encourage our law enforcement officers to operate with zero tolerance.

Media Enquiries: 

Melany Kühn
Spokesperson
Ministry of Community Safety
Tel: 021 483 3873
Cell: 078 8877 004
Fax: 0866 029 861
Email: mkuhn@pgwc.gov.za