South Africa Educates Citizens On Road Usage

South Africa Educates Citizens On Road Usage
Funke Atohengbe, Pretoria

South Africa has embarked on vigorous enforcement of road signs and education of its citizenry especially pedestrians, on the use of its roads.

The Minister of Transport, Sibisiso Ndebele told newsmen in Pretoria on Tuesday that the efforts were aimed at reducing the number of deaths on the roads.

Ndebele said that the Transport Department would be collaborating with the Basic Education Department to introduce road safety education as part of life skill curriculum in schools.

According to him, '' the Make Road Safe Campaign and the New National Rolling Enforcement Plan by introduced by the Department in October last year would be intensified.''

He said out of the over 1,500 people killed on the country's roads during the festive season, between December one, 2010 and January 5, 2011, half of them were mostly drunk drivers.

The Minister said even though Africa had 20 percent of the world's motor vehicles, most road accidents were recorded on the continent. He described the casualty figure as unacceptable.

The transport authorities have said road blocks would be introduced to keep drivers in check.

Over four million drivers and vehicles have been stopped and checked across South Africa since the government rolled out its new safety measures.

A total of two million Rand in fines have also been issued for various traffic offences.

Yinka