MISA applauds efforts as road fatalities decline
MISA praises law enforcement, and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, for a significant reduction in road fatalities, attributing success to increased visibility and a shift in public behaviour.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has expressed its gratitude to law enforcement agencies for their efforts on South African roads, following a reported substantial decrease in road fatalities. According to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, the application of the ‘broken window theory’ to road safety has yielded positive results, with a 45.6% drop in road deaths, the lowest figure recorded in three years.
Minister Creecy also reported a 32.5% reduction in overall accidents. Notably, no accidents were reported on the N1 in Limpopo, a route considered one of the busiest, despite the resumption of the Zion Christian Church pilgrimage for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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MISA believes that credit is due to the collaborative efforts of the Transport Department, the South African Police Service, and other law enforcement authorities. Martlé Keyter, MISA’s chief executive officer: operations, stated: “The results announced by Minister Creecy today speak of hard work, dedication, and proper collaboration.”
Keyter highlighted the noticeable increase in roadblocks and the enhanced visibility of law enforcement officers under Creecy’s authority, who has treated road safety as a national crisis. “This approach is saving lives on our roads,” Keyter added.
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MISA also acknowledged Creecy’s observation of a positive shift in public behaviour, with thousands of drivers demonstrating increased responsibility.
During the recent Easter weekend, Creecy reported that 21 607 traffic fines were issued, and 512 motorists were arrested. Of these arrests, 111 were for drunk driving in the Eastern Cape alone. MISA particularly welcomed the arrest of 89 pedestrians for jaywalking, a concern highlighted by the association.
According to MISA, lawlessness among pedestrians was responsible for 41% of fatalities on South African roads during the past festive season. This statistic underscores the importance of addressing pedestrian behaviour as a critical component of overall road safety.
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