AA wants more 'blue lights'

2003-11-10 22:04

Candice Swarts

Cape Town - "When motorists see a blue light, they immediately react more cautiously."

Gary Ronald of the Automobile Association said this was the reason more visible policing would reduce the death toll on South African roads.

At least 58 people died in road accidents in the past four weeks.

Ronald praised the countrywide road-safety campaign, Operation Juggernaut, which was launched on Sunday and said visible policing on roads was synonymous with less accidents.

However, motorists still were primarily responsible for road safety.

"There should be an awareness that reckless driving will not be tolerated.

"Motorists might be inconvenienced by roadblocks, but they should remember that these are for their own safety," he said.

Meanwhile, Stuart Farrow, Democratic Alliance spokesperson for transport, directed a letter to the speaker of parliament, asking for an urgent debate on fatal road accidents and heavy vehicles.

Ian Auret of the Committee of Active Road Safety said many lives could be saved if people wore safety belts. Research showed nearly 40% of South African motorists did not wear seat belts.

- Die Burger