Gauteng transport MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu believes careless pedestrians are one of the major reasons for accidents in the province and is planning a campaign to solve this problem.
Gauteng transport MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu believes careless pedestrians are one of the major reasons for accidents in the province and is planning a campaign to work on this problem.
reports that Mosunkutu said he planned to run campaigns to teach pedestrians how to cross a road and look out for oncoming vehicles. Campaigns will focus on informal settlements near to national or provincial roads.
“Pedestrian ill-discipline is a very serious problem. We are going to mount very serious pressure in the coming months,” he said.
Speaking at a road block near Heidelberg, Mosunkutu said a high number of people were arrested for alcohol-related offences, and unroadworthy vehicles were also a problem.
Mosunkutu said he was also concerned about speeding. “Gauteng has very good roads. Consequently, people who are scared to go on to the Kyalami race track find it easy (to speed) on our roads,” he said.
Mosunkutu said it was unfair to say traffic officials knew only how to enforce speed limits. He was responding to comments from transport minister Dullah Omar at the weekend that South Africa’s traffic officers were inadequately trained, and found it difficult to do much more than speed-trapping.
He said some officials specialised in overload control. They were able to assist motorists on the road and they could manage emergency situations. The skills and technology were being upgraded and officials in his area went on refresher courses every year.
