Long distance drivers encouraged to take regular breaks

As many people return to work from tomorrow and next week, traffic volumes are expected to start soaring on most roads in the province. Community Safety Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has called on motorists to use the road responsibly in order to avoid needless road crashes.

The MEC further pleaded with public transport owners to always prioritize the lives of the commuters and not profits. He added that taxi and bus operators need to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy at all times because failure to do so could have deadly consequences.

He further advised long distances drivers to rest sufficiently because some of the recorded crashes so far could be attributed to fatigue.

“Long distance drivers must rest adequately because fatigue also causes fatal crashes. Therefore, those who are driving extended distances should take a break every 200 km or after two hours. Tiredness like alcohol also leads to poor decision making and lapse of concentration when one is driving, ” the MEC emphasised.

He has also appealed to passengers not to agree to be transported by intoxicated drivers or in vehicles which are not roadworthy. Ngomane added that commuters should also not be afraid to speak against reckless and negligent driving because they also have a role to play in road safety.

Law enforcement officers have also been called upon not show any leniency to vehicles that have defects, drunk drivers or those disobey traffic rules. Ngomane encouraged the law enforcement officers not to negotiate with any person who breaks the law but to bring them to book.

Meanwhile preliminary crashes data revealed that Mpumalanga has recorded 128 road deaths since 1 December 2018. 609 crashes were recorded during the period with 494 people sustaining serious injuries. According to these numbers number of fatalities saw a reduction of 1,5 percent as compared to the same period last year. Nkangala recorded most fatalities by recording 59 deaths and Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande regions with 36 and 33 fatalities respectively.

Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison

Enquiries: Moeti Mmusi
Contacts: 084 411 3372

Email: mmmusi@mpg.gov.za