Motorists urged to drive safely as festive death toll climbs
Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says it is important for travellers to plan their road trips to avoid unnecessary car accidents that may lead to fatalities.
Hlengwa conducted a road safety campaign at the Grasmere toll plaza in the south of Johannesburg on Friday.
At least 571 people have been killed on the country's roads since the 1st of December.
"There is a fundamental need for all of us to plan our trips accordingly. We are trying to make up for lost time on the road, with the inability to respect time. Let us plan correctly. There is too much speeding and impatience on the road because people are simply rushing to get to where they need to get to because they have not left home on time," Hlhengwa said.
He also pleaded with truck drivers to be patient and observe traffic rules on the roads during the festive period.
"I do want to make a clarion call to the truck drivers, particularly the driving that they are doing in the early hours of the morning, between 3 am and 6 am."
"We are calling on truck drivers and operators to actually assist us by a heightened sense of discipline, observation and patience on the road" he added
The National Safer Festive Season Operations is a 46-day campaign starting from 1 December 2024 to mid-January 2025, aimed at ensuring increased police visibility across the country during the festive period, especially in high-risk zones.
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