Driving safely starts with you, says traffic department
A Learner Transport Driver Education Programme was recently held to educate drivers on the importance of road safety.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety recently held a Learner Transport Driver Education Programme to spread awareness regarding safety on the road.
• Also read: Road safety is everybody’s responsibility – Gauteng Traffic Police
The event took place at Westonaria Primary School on March 20. Peace Xesi started the event by welcoming remarks whereafter the Rand West City Traffic Assistant Superintendent, Mashige Chita, gave a presentation on traffic safety.
Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Obed Sibasa took the stage to speak about driver’s education. The police also joined the awareness programme and delivered their presentation.
The programme included information about driver’s safety and mentioned the various reasons for fatalities on the road.
These fatalities include:
• fatigue
• drunken driving
• distracted driving
• reckless driving
• road rage
• speeding
• unsafe overtaking
The programme instructed drivers to follow these traffic rules:
• Keep a safe following distance
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Ensure your vehicle’s tyres are aligned correctly
• Obey speed limits
• Ensure vehicles are roadworthy
• Signal early to prevent collisions
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The Randfontein Herald had an exclusive interview with Sibasa.
“The purpose of today’s event is to emphasise road safety for learner’s transport. We discourage accidents involving learner’s transport for the safety of the children. We will be looking at the documentation of the driver such as the driver’s license. Then we will look to see if the vehicle is roadworthy.
“Furthermore, we will also look at what is required inside the vehicle such as a fire extinguisher.
Another concern to look at is overloading – it is a serious problem when it comes to learner transport. Driving over the speed limit can also carry consequences for these drivers.
“Some of these learner transport drivers transport the children under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We also try to educate them around that issue,” he explained.
He stated once the driver picks the children up, their lives become his responsibility. Another problem that the Traffic Police look at is the loud music being played in the vehicle.
