The executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni Tania Campbell launched the festive season Arrive Alive campaign on December 14.
ALSO READ: Campbell announces members of mayoral committee
She was accompanied by her newly appointed Member of the Mayoral Committee in charge of Community Safety, Victor Letlhogonolo Moseki.
The launch took place as a roadblock with EMPD and Gauteng Provincial Traffic Police inspecting motorists for compliance with the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offenses Act of 1998.
During the roadblock, Campbell engaged with motorists and urged them to take extra precautions on the road during the festive season.
“I call on all motorists to be extra cautious on the roads this festive season.
“As it stands, pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users in Ekurhuleni. In line with the World Health Organisation Global Road Safety Performance Targets, we must be extra careful and vigilant of pedestrians on the road.
“EMPD officials will be out in their numbers this festive season to ensure the safety of motorists on our roads and enforce the law against any form of traffic violations,” said Campbell.
“This festive season will also mark the reunion of many families and friends across the country, following numerous travel restrictions and nationwide lockdowns.
“The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is driving the spread of the fourth wave in South Africa and now is not the time to relax. We must continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated and observing the basic Covid-19 protocols, such as wearing a mask, sanitising or washing your hands frequently and maintaining social distance,” said Campbell.
“Historical data from the EMPD Accident Reconstruction Unit states that the highest cases of road fatalities take place between the hours of 20:00 and midnight, predominantly on Fridays and Saturdays.
“The current adverse weather patterns we are experiencing this December are characterised by high levels of rainfall that limits visibility and may adversely affect the reaction times of motorists,” said Campbell.
Campbell advised the Chief of Police of the EMPD to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to road safety this festive season, as she hopes to see an aggressive decline in road fatalities in the City of Ekurhuleni over this 2021 festive season.
