Joburg MMC for Transport promotes safety ahead of Easter
In support of a common objective to raise as much awareness as possible on road safety amongst motorists and the public in Johannesburg, tomorrow Wednesday 5 April 2023, the MMC for Transport Councillor Kenny Kunene will be promoting road safety to public transport operators, motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users in Roodepoort Region C.
“Earlier today my executive colleague MMC Dr Tshwaku launched the Easter Safety Campaign and I am amplifying this before the Easter weekend to persuade road users to conduct themselves responsibly at all times. Human life is irreplaceable and Joburg must play its part to reduce the accident rate thus contributing to the national target of halving the number of accidents by the year 2030”, says MMC Kunene.
MMC Kunene will conduct a walkabout at Rank Five Roodepoort Taxi Rank and nearby intersections to engage and distribute information brochures with important safety messages that reinforce the dangers of reckless driving, drinking and driving, using a cellphone whilst driving, having a safety triangle in case of a breakdown, giving the right of way to pedestrians, crossing the road at designated crossing or only when safe to do so and wearing reflective clothing at night.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death amongst young people aged 15 to 25 years in South Africa. The Global Road Safety partnership asserts that young drivers are identified as a high-risk population group because of a lack of experience. Their behaviour patterns are strongly associated with expectations and social pressures that influence risk-taking on the roads.
“From a Transport perspective one of the city’s Strategic Thrusts is a Safer City so it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our roads are fit for use with proper markings and signage for good driver decision-making,” says MMC Kunene.
Some of the key objectives are; encouraging adherence to rules of the road, promoting safe road usage, encouraging a positive shift in behaviour and attitude towards other road users and desisting from vandalizing road infrastructure.