The annual holiday period in South Africa has begun. With it comes the hopes of millions of South Africans for a joyful and restful period. We look forward to being with relatives and friends - those near and dear to us. We remember those dear departed ones and pray for them. But with these hopes, there also comes fear - fear of loss of life, serious injury and damage through violence of one or other kind and also through road accidents.
I convey to all our fellow citizens greetings for Christmas, the new year and the new millennium. It is up to us to make this holiday period a joyful one and not a tearful one. I am particularly concerned that our holiday period will be marred because of road accidents with consequent loss of loved ones. I am therefor making an earnest appeal to all road users - motorists, taxi and bus operators as well as pedestrians - for your own sake and for the sake of others, please help to end the carnage on our roads. You can do so by taking extra precautions.
Make sure that your vehicles are fit to be on the road. Don't allow unqualified or unfit persons to drive vehicles. Most accidents are caused by poor driver behaviour. A number are caused by poor pedestrian behaviour. We can all do something about this problem. I am convinced that together we can make a difference.
Let us contribute to making this holiday period a joyful one. We can do this by observing the six road safety commandments.
I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
For more information, contact Mike Mabasa Media Liaison Officer to Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar Pretoria 09 December 1999 083 680 7048