59% DROP IN EASTER ROAD ACCIDENTS IN LIMPOPO: ANC LEADERSHIP COMMENDS ROAD USERS AND ROADS & TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
Notwithstanding the expectedly high traffic volumes exceeding 7000 vehicles that used the N1 and the R101 routes over the Easter Christian public holiday long-weekend peak period between 05 to 09 April 2012; the Limpopo African National Congress (ANC) notes the sterling work done by all Limpopo Traffic Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Services Teams, Hospitals staff and other valuable personnel or volunteers in the value chain.
Particularly the ANC Limpopo is exceptionally proud of the impressive milestone of a 59% drop in the total number of road accidents over above-mentioned period. This year the Department of Roads and Transport recorded only 49 road accidents compared to the 83 that happened last year. This is indicative of citizens and road users who are showing remarkable improvement in respecting road traffic laws.
"However, we regret with the most heartfelt sadness the loss of 22 lives but also acknowledge that we are encouraged by the fact that this number is less than the 25 people who passed away during the same Easter period last year on our provincial and national roads in Limpopo," commented ANC Limpopo spokesperson Makondelele Mathivha.
Mathivha continued: "the ANC Limpopo is especially pleased with the rate of strict, serious and and proactive law enforcement reflected by 112 arrests of law breakers for a variety of serious road traffic crimes that potentially can result in loss of life or even cause permanent health damage to some survivors of accidents. We are aware from the stats provided by the department that outstanding warrants made up a large part of these arrests and that sadly, drunken driving, stolen vehicles and culprits of illegal taxi and other public transport drivers who had no public transport permits."
The ANC Limpopo wish to see a downward trend in all road accidents; more substantial focus on proactive law enforcement, cooperation by all road users (including pedestrians) with the law through the reporting of bad behaviour by motorists and their own strict adherence and respect for road traffic laws. Believing that the ANC government will improve and strengthen its strategies to reduce all road accidents especially fatal and serious ones and improve behaviour of motorists and pedestrians to help this process along.
"The ANC is certainly proud of this milestone of reduced accidents. The break-through is a positive indication that the hard work, dedication and commitment of our deployees in government is paying off. We also thank especially our own leadership, the current Member of the Executive Committee (MEC), comrade Pitsi Moloto as well as sterling work done by Cde Pitsi's predecessor, former MEC Pinkie Kekana in the Roads and Transport department.
Hard work done by Traffic Law Enforcement Officers and all behind-the-scenes personnel who usually have to work around the clock over the Easter period is paying off. the extensive network of traffic law enforcement teams pulled off this ground-breaking zero-fatalities record for our province. We are certainly very proud and happy," said ANC Limpopo Spokesperson, Makonde Mathivha.
Comrade Mathivha concluded: "We must never downplay the significance of the milestone of the 59% reduction in overall accidents for this period. Yes, further improvements are needed urgently and deaths must be brought to zero. For that to happen we need total commitment to cooperative governance, which is the cornerstone of the ANC's leadership ethics. Road users, Law Enforcement officers who work long and strenuous hours, Emergency Services Personnel (Paramedics), all Hospitals and Clinics staff must be thanked especially for their complete dedication to serving citizens."
Statement issued by Cde. Makondelele Mathivha, ANC Limpopo provincial spokesperson, April 11 2012
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