Concern over road deaths

2003-10-27 19:29

Cape Town - Opposition parties on Monday expressed concern over the number accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles that have occurred recently.

Democratic Alliance MP Stuart Farrow called for a crisis meeting on public and heavy-duty transport.

"There are only 40 days left before the holiday season starts; time is of the essence. The DA would like to see - at the very least - the (Transport) Minister (Dullah Omar) along with his nine MECs attending such a summit."

He said the conference could consider proposals made in the party's recently-released policy document on transport.

These included the introduction of compulsory daytime running lights for all public and heavy-duty vehicles to increase visibility.

He also suggested frequent roadworthy tests on all private and public vehicles over three-years-old.

Farrow said truck owners and taxi owners should be held responsible for deaths and injuries if their vehicles were found to be unroadworthy.

"The best tribute to those people who lost their lives on our roads would be a concerted effort to ensure safe and secure transport on South African roads."

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) agreed with the DA, saying frequent testing of public transport drivers would ensure the maximum protection of commuters.

ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said his party believed that a lack of control over the trucking industry was the reason for the high number of deaths caused by road accidents involving trucks.

"Over 44 people have lost their lives in truck accidents this month alone, and as long as the current state of affairs in the transport industry continues, many more innocent lives will be lost on the roads," he said.

- SAPA