Premier welcomes decrease in WC road death fatalities

Media release: Premier welcomes reduction in road fatalities for the past festive season.

Premier Alan Winde welcomes the marked reduction in road fatalities in the Western Cape for the past festive season.

“Our concerted efforts to enforce road laws and ensure road users behave responsibly paid off,” remarked the Premier.

With the massive influx of visitors into and out of the Western Cape, all resources available to the Provincial Government, the Department of Mobility and their partners, were deployed.

Fatalities in the Western Cape dropped from 207 – seen in the previous festive season – to 131 over the same corresponding period. This is the biggest reduction in the country.

“One life lost on our roads is too many, though,” Premier Winde lamented. “My most sincere condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who died,” he added.

Premier Winde applauded the hard work put into the Festive Season Road Safety Plan, “Thank you to all our provincial and municipal traffic officials who sacrificed their time over the festive period to man roadblocks and patrol roads, making their presence felt around every corner and along virtually every kilometre of roadway in our province. Their dedication to making sure road users were safe and stuck to the rules is commendable.”

Our key operational focus areas included:

• Alcohol enforcement;
• Speed enforcement;
• Driver and vehicle fitness;
• Public transport;
• Fatigue management and
• Moving violation enforcement

Acting Minister of Mobility, Dr Ivan Meyer said, “I thank all road users and particularly our law enforcement agencies including Provincial Traffic for the excellent results. Road safety is one of our strategic focus areas and the professional conduct of all active role players through dedication and sacrifice during the festive season is acknowledged and commended. As schools reopen tomorrow, I wish those who are still travelling to various destinations a safe journey.”

Premier Winde concluded, “We must now sustain our focus to make our roads safer throughout the year. The province’s road network is vital in moving people and goods around, a key lever for our economy. If we can further prevent road tragedies, we ensure the wellbeing of those who use our roads and drive our growth.”