Collective responsibility to ensure safer roads

POLOKWANE – Nkanyiso Msiya, the director of the road safety campaign Drive Wise, has stressed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring safer roads.

He led a Transport Month awareness campaign along the N1 northbound on Friday, reminding drivers, passengers and pedestrians to adhere strictly to road rules and avoid mistakes that can lead to accidents.

The activation featured interactive demonstrations, educational engagements, and community involvement activities, all aimed at promoting safer roads.

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”Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Too many lives have been lost due to avoidable mistakes. Through Drive Wise, we want to remind every driver, cyclist and pedestrian that one moment of carelessness can change lives forever. Our goal is to inspire safer choices and build a culture of accountability on our roads,” said Msiya.

He added that road safety awareness should extend beyond October, noting the severity of road accidents in Limpopo in recent times.

A comparison of Easter weekend fatalities between 2023 and 2024 by the Road Traffic Management Corporation shows an increase of 83 deaths, with Limpopo recording the highest number due to a crash that claimed 35 lives.

Earlier this month, 42 foreign nationals died when a long-distance bus travelling from Gqeberha to Harare veered off the road and overturned, leaving dozens injured.

Read more: Limpopo N1 bus tragedy: Faulty brakes, speeding and overloading blamed

Emergency teams described the scene as ‘horrific’, with rescue operations continuing overnight.

Drive Wise emphasised the need for heightened vigilance ahead of the festive period, when increased traffic and reckless driving are expected.

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The Department of Transport in Limpopo supported the campaign.