Parties: Enforce traffic laws
2003-03-04 16:25
Cape Town - The carnage on South Africa's roads was the subject of a special debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, with most speakers emphasising the need for improved traffic law enforcement.
The Democratic Alliance's Stuart Farrow said it was time for Transport Minister Dullah Omar to "get tough" with his department and review strategies to reduce road deaths.
"What happened to the need for public transporters to have a certificate of road worthiness prior to registration or annual licensing? It doesn't appear to be a criteria anymore.
"It is unacceptable that unroadworthy buses and taxis can travel across the width and breadth of our country without having gone through vehicle roadworthy testing."
Farrow also called for the introduction of high-tech measures to combat the carnage.
Among other things, there were standardised computer programs which could eliminate fraudulent licence testing.
There were also devices that, at a small cost, could eliminate overloading on public transport and heavy vehicles.
Speed-trapping
"I am not saying that all these innovations are cost effective or practical, but by not evaluating them in terms of their use are we not writing out a death sentence for some innocent motorists, passengers or pedestrians whose life could be saved if these devices could be used," Farrow said.
Transport committee chair Jeremy Cronin of the African National Congress, said the key factor was more visible enforcement of traffic laws and rules.
Simply speed-trapping motorists was not good enough, as traffic officers had to "engage" speedsters to change their behaviour.
With between 80% and 90% of accidents involving driver factors, and 40% of deaths being pedestrians, public attitudes towards road safety had to be changed, he said.
Jan Slabbert of the Inkatha Freedom Party agreed with other speakers that law enforcement left much to be desired, and had, indeed, failed.
Motorists blatantly ignored the law, breaking it at will.
Although many more and better trained traffic officers were needed, they would mean nothing unless they enforced the law.
Only this would end the carnage, Slabbert said.
Charles Redcliffe of the New National Party said his party viewed visible traffic law enforcement as a critical element in any active road safety project.
Live up to their calling
"One must ask whether the government is serious with law enforcement on our roads. Taking into account all the factors, this must be a decisive no!
"Despite ongoing calls from government for voluntary compliance of traffic law by road users, the general pattern of lawlessness on our roads continues.
"According to the Automobile Association there seems to be a perception amongst road users, and drivers in particular, that camera speed prosecutions are virtually the sole element of traffic law which is enforced," Redcliffe said.
The United Christian Democratic Party's Sipho Mfundisi called on traffic officers "to live up to their calling".
"They should control traffic instead of watching from under marquees in a group. Visibility of the traffic officers will reduce accidents on our roads," Mfundisi said.
Omar, who is seriously ill with cancer and recovering at home, did not attend the debate.
- SAPA