#Easter2018: No R&R on the roads

The Easter holidays are upon us and we can almost taste the chocolate treats but while we may use this time for a bit of rest, we cannot relax our obedience to following the rules of the road.

The harsh reality is that every year, along with lighter news reports on the fun Easter egg hunts and sports festivals, comes the shocking collisions on our roads.

In February, during the announcement that the preliminary festive season fatalities represented an 11 per cent decline compared to the same period in the previous year, the transport department recognised the dedication of Metro and police officers.

This Easter, the City of Joburg is also ensuring the presence of law enforcement officers with the launch of the Easter Road Safety Awareness Campaign, run by the Department of Public Safety.

As Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, put it, “It is often said that one of the sure-fire ways to prevent, or at least impede, bad behaviour is to increase the visibility of law enforcement officers.”

Visible policing and stringent law enforcement are important, but it is also vital that we all take responsibility to drive safely. So it is fitting that one of the main goals of the campaign is to educate road users on the importance of abiding by the rules of the road.

Mashaba said, “As much as the City has a responsibility to keep the residents of Johannesburg safe, we have to share part of that responsibility with our residents because it is largely through their actions that we can prevent the terrible incidents of road carnage that we see during this period.”

The Road Accident Fund, too, calls on citizens to ‘take a stand against reckless driving’ and asks on social media for us to, ‘Pledge in this post to obey the rules of the road’.

It is important, though, that stringent law enforcement is implemented consistently, not only during the Easter holidays but throughout the year, and alongside it, we need to realise that we can all contribute to safer roads all year round by taking responsibility for how we drive and following the road rules.

Have any thoughts to share with our group editor? Email daniellap@caxton.co.za