Durban — The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has used October Transport Month to present KZN Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka with urgent proposals to address road carnage in the province.
DA KZN spokesperson on transport Sharon Hoosen said the DA called on Hlomuka to use the month to assess his department’s previous failures in an effort to ensure that the province’s roads are made safer.
The DA’s appeal comes after people continue to die amid lawlessness and a severe lack of visible policing on some of KZN’s busiest roads.
“It is undeniable that our province has become a haven for reckless drivers, unroadworthy trucks and public transport operator vehicles. What used to be the unusual occurrence of horror accidents involving heavy vehicles has now become an almost daily feature,” Hoosen said.
She said abiding by the rules and showing respect for other road users had fallen by the wayside. Instead, there is a complete lack of adherence to the law, with drivers of trucks and taxis in particular having no regard for others. This as profit is prioritised over people’s lives.
She also said that a few were held to account for their actions. This lack of law-enforcement has also led to public transport and trucking companies failing to ensure vehicle roadworthiness.
“Despite the carnage that exists, KZN’s Department of Transport has been silent on stricter measures to turn the situation around. Given the turmoil and lack of direction that appears to exist,” Hoosen said.
She said the DA called on the MEC to implement the following regulations:
- Compulsory defensive driver training for truck and taxi drivers before licences are issued;
- Increased law-enforcement at truck rest stops to deter criminal activity and avoid driver fatigue;
- Heavy fines for truck and taxi operators who put unroadworthy vehicles on our roads;
- An increase in the number of Road Traffic Inspectorate officers on our roads and round-the-clock visibility;
- Proper monitoring of KZN’s weighbridges, which must be open 24 hours a day, with the introduction of more weighbridges;
- Enforcement of weight restrictions on certain roads with strict control;
- Strict monitoring of overloading in terms of both passengers and goods;
- Implementation and monitoring of a 100km maximum speed limit when transporting children and;
- Ensuring a zero-tolerance attitude to drunk and reckless drivers.
“We expect the MEC to take these proposals seriously. Transport Month cannot be yet another tick-box event on a calendar. A no-nonsense approach must be taken against all drivers who place lives at risk if the unprecedented carnage on our roads is to be reduced,” Hoosen said.
Daily News