8 December 2022
MEC BULWANE LAUNCHES FESTIVE SEASON ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN PETRUSBURG
The MEC for Police, Roads and Transport launched the 2022/23Provincial Festive Season Road Safety Campaign on Thursday 8 December under the theme “It starts with you!” at Petrusburg in the Western Free State.
The aim of the annual festive season campaign is to ensure that there is high law enforcement visibility on the busy roads to oversee the smooth flow of traffic and to keep an eye on the driving behaviour of motorists to make certain they abide with the rules of the road.
The launch began at 07:00 with a roadblock at the junction of the R48 and the N8 towards Kimberley and ended at 11:30. During the period, 470 vehicles were stopped and checked. In total, 80 transgressions came to light and three illegal immigrants were arrested
Following the roadblock, MEC Bulwane said in his address at the Ipetleng Secondary School that road crashes are not only taking lives but also burden the economy of the province. He also mentioned that it is still the department’s aim to reduce fatal crashes in the province by five percent by 2030 and urged motorists to stay compliant to the road laws and make sure they take breaks when traveling a long way.
The MEC further indicated that the maintenance and repair of the following roads, Hoopstad to Bloemhof; Sasolburg – Heilbron and Tweespruit to Excelsior, have recently gone out on tender. On the R30, the contractor is already on site and work has commenced and 15 contractors were appointed to do regular maintenance work on our provincial roads. He also revealed that there are currently discussions with the National Minister to upgrade the R26 and develop it into the Lesotho Highway.
The MEC was accompanied by the Mayor of Xhariep District Municipality, Cllr. Irene Mehlomakulu; General Moodley from Correctional Services; Chief Director of Traffic, Mr. Leeto; church leaders from various denominations as well as representatives of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Road Accident Fund (RAF), AARTO, the SAB and a variety of NGOs.
