Issued by: Ministry of Transport
15 April 2001
Road safety is a responsibility we all share, to discourage reckless driving, adhere the basic rules of the road and to respect the laws of our country and lives of our fellow citizens" - by Abdulah M. Omar MP, Minister of Transport.
The National Arrive Alive Information Centre in Pretoria reports that the roads around the country are quiet. Only 9 fatalities between 19H00 last night and 07H00 this morning were reported. This brings the total number of people killed since the start of the Easter Weekend to 65.
We expect traffic volumes to increase at 14H00 today. The N1 from Pietersburg to Gauteng is expected to be one of the busiest routes from this afternoon. The last Church Service of the Zion Christian Church in Moria will be held today at 17H00. Arrive Alive also noted that many motorists were avoiding the N1 using alternative routes to circumvent paying tollgates fees. Traffic officers will also be deployed to monitor alternative routes from Pietersburg to Gauteng.
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar has strongly urged all road users not to be complacent when returning back from their destinations to home. He said 'road safety is a responsibility we all share, to discourage reckless driving, adhere the basic rules of the road and to respect the laws of our country and lives of our fellow citizens'.
"We urge drivers to keep good following distance particularly in view of the weather. Drivers should also make regular stops to rest, drive according to the speed limit and that vehicles are in a good running order", said Minister Omar.
Minister Omar thanked again all men and women who are working this weekend to keep our roads safe. "I want to record my appreciation to our traffic officers, members of the Police Service, the Army, emergency services, fire brigades, medical teams and the Arrive Alive Information Centre for your sacrifices and hard work", Omar said.
"But the encouragement and support we receive from the public, the private sector and the media and their many calls on us to continue the campaign has given us renewed hope and the spirit to work more harder in reducing the unaccepted accident rates on our roads", the Minister concluded.
Issued By:
Mike Mabasa
Tel: 083 680 7048
Fax: 083 676 8450