DEAR Editor,-
The IFP believes it’s high time for KZN Department of Transport to enforce stringent laws to curb ongoing road carnages plaguing KZN’s roads.
This follows yet another tragic weekend with five people killed in separate crashes since last Saturday night.
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Serious questions should be asked as to what needs to be done to ensure that all road users are safe.
Too many motorists fail dismally adhering to traffic laws. Speeding remains the main accident cause and a blatant disregard for speed limits on our roads exists.
While many awareness and educational campaigns have highlighted the very serious consequences of speeding, it appears the messages that speed kills falls on deaf ears.
Further, unroadworthy vehicles have no place on our roads. It’s the responsibility of motorists to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy and those violating the rules should be severely dealt with.
Law enforcement agencies must be capacitated to be effective in curbing road carnage.
The wanton disregard for traffic regulations by some drivers, resulting in fatal accidents is of grave concern.
Many of those responsible for the carnage are driving without a licence, have an unroadworthy vehicle or are simply not heeding rules of the road.
It’s also been noted that poor braking systems, traffic regulators and failure to use appropriate warning signals at vehicles breakdowns on highways are among the leading causes of road accidents in KwaZulu-Natal.
We call on Honorary MEC for Transport Mxolisi Kaunda to adopt comprehensive, sustained programmes to ensure safety on our roads.
While stringent legislation is important, a national vision and leadership is essential to sustained, progressive strides in road safety.
Road carnage has claimed countless lives, robbed many families of breadwinners and has a very negative impact on economy.
We advocate for the laws to be applied without fear or favour to ensure the alarming accident rate is minimised. Increased traffic law enforcement will assist to deter would-be offenders.
Regular roadside inspections must be conducted to check roadworthiness, carrying capacity and other variables contributing to road accidents.
Change the fine-paying mentality to that of responsible road use.
We appeal to commuters to report vehicles which do not comply with road rules.
More road deaths can be prevented if there is heightened police vigilance, harsher penalties and a culture of respect for road rules.
HONORARY STEVEN MOODLEY, MPL
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Transport
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