Transport Minister Ben Martins. (SABC)
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The Transport Minister says there will be a major crackdown on road offenders this festive season. Ben Martins was speaking during the launch of "Transport Month" in Soweto, yesterday.
About 14 000 people die on South Africa's roads every year due to road fatalities and accidents.
"While this is October month, road safety month, we would like that each an every day should be road safety day in South Africa, so that we inculcate the habit of obeying the rules of the road, the habit of courtesy, and also to make pedestrians aware the dangers of crossing where there are no pedestrian crossings," says Martins.
the transport minister says he hopes the strike in the trucking sector will be resolved soon
Authorities also say that despite years of trying to reduce accidents, the road ahead remains difficult. They are calling on motorists and pedestrians to change their behaviour and attitudes.
Gauteng road and transport MEC Ismael Vadi says: "From this month right through Christmas, up until new year you are going to see very aggressive policing, many more road blocks, this time we are gonna be focusing on the freight industry and on truck drivers. It's an area that we have neglected quiet a bit in past few years."
Meanwhile, the Transport minister says he hopes the strike in the trucking sector will be resolved soon. He also says government will also make an announcement soon on the controversial e-Tolling system.
