Yawa decries speed as cause of carnage on public roads

4 January 2010

North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa says that 70,7 percent of the 5 388 traffic fines issued by traffic authorities in his province to motorists during the Arrive Alive Festive Operations in December were for speeding violations.

“At this rate, the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences(AARTO) Act this year will see many drivers losing their drivers licenses due to their obsession with speed which remains the major cause of the carnage on our roads year in and year out,” emphasises MEC Yawa.

Though there were notable decreases in passenger and pedestrian fatalities from 34 to 27 and 29 to 23 respectively on the province’s roads during the 2009 December period compared to the same period in 2008, Yawa is particularly concerned about the increase of fatal crashes from 66 to 79 and 92 lives were lost during these crashes.

The preliminary provincial statistics on fatalities might increase considering that there are 13 unreported accidents which still need to be submitted for capturing.

Enquiries:

Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
4 January 2010