Learners urged to be more vigilant on roads

"As government, we do not want you to die on our roads because you are our future leaders. When you walk to and from your schools, walk on the side of the road; not in the middle of the road, because you might be knocked down by moving vehicles," Transport Deputy Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said on Friday, 14 June 2013.

Chikunga, who is in the Vhembe District to promote a road safety campaign, as part of Government Imbizo Week, was addressing learners of Magangeni Primary School in Malamulele, Limpopo.

The road safety campaign is also in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety campaign 2011-2020.

On her arrival at the school, the Deputy Minister was welcomed by learners holding placards which read: "We wish a speedy recovery Tata Mandela, Siyakuthanda Tata, get well soon." The messages were in reference to former President Nelson Mandela who is still at a Pretoria Hospital.

The Deputy Minister urged motorists to observe the rules of the roads during this long weekend.

"As we enter into the long weekend, please observe the rules of the road, with or without us being there. In fact, we will be launching the 365 road safety programme.

"We are happy to announce that the community road safety councils which we've already launched are playing significant roles in promoting road safety," she said.

According to the Deputy Minister, 82 percent of the accidents are happening as a result of human factor.

"A total of 82 percent road accidents are occurring because the driver is drunk, exhausted or just decided to overtake when it is not safe to do so or just because the driver is speeding.

"When you know that you are exhausted, it is important to rest. Our message to the motorists is that please observe the rules of the roads, passengers please use seatbelts too and do not allow a drunk driver to drive you.

"Pedestrians, please be visible and don't drink and walk on our roads. In that we will all be safe on our roads.

"If you are not drunk you are more likely to avoid an accident even when it is likely to happen," she said.

School Principal of Magangeni Lucky Mashaba said: "We've more than 1000 learners at our school and we had learners who had been knocked down by vehicles in the past even though they were not fatal.

"We are grateful that government decided to visit our school to spread the message of road safety and we believe that with all the road safety information and uniform, we will establish our school traffic patrol."

In South Africa, approximately 40 people are killed on our roads every day, about 1000 every month and about 14 000 every year.

Deputy Minister Chikunga will later this afternoon interact with the road users in Thohoyandou to highlight the importance of learner education and awareness regarding road safety, the importance of pedestrian and vehicle visibility at all times, the dangers of over-speeding and the significance of vehicle and driver fitness.