I would like to take this opportunity as acting Chief Director in the department of Police, Roads and Transport, Transport Chief Directorate, to express a word of appreciation to all law enforcement officials for the professional and selfless manner in which they have conducted themselves during this festive period.
This message might appear to be rather premature since this festive cycle is not complete yet due to the fact that we are still expecting heavy increases in traffic, of people who are still to travel back home, factories and also schools that will be reopening soon. It is however necessary to present this message as an encouragement to the members, hoping that it will motivate them to regain their strength for this last hurdle.
We are however concerned about the level of lawlessness in general not only in the Free State, but also throughout the country. Citizens of our country, breadwinners and loved ones lose their lives due to unacceptable lawless behavior of certain drivers on our roads. This needs to be mentioned because looking at some of the accident causes reflecting in our statistics, most of these fatal accidents could have been prohibited if responsibility, awareness and caution were given priority by all road users.
Our statistics regarding law enforcement offences are not pleasing at all. We are still registering high levels of speed and alcohol, and also non adherence to restrictions such as speed limits. Motorists continue to travel high speeds even in 80km and 60km zones as reflecting in the report bellow. Truck owners are still allowing their unroadworthy trucks to be on the road, deliberately so because they afford to pay whatever fine is imposed on them. This will never be tolerated in the Free State because the consequences of such irresponsible practices are costly and cannot be easily corrected.
We are doing what we can as law enforcement throughout the province to ensure that our visibility creates a sense of safety to all road users. It is very unfortunate that road uses are still undermining our profession. Many of the accidents, particularly fatal ones, which are occurring, could have been prohibited. Certain routs such as the N3 and N1are overpopulated with unroadworthy heavy vehicles, which could be the reason why about 43 trucks were involved in accidents since the last week of November till 28 December 2010, of which seven (7) of them were fatal, claiming sixteen (16) lives.
We want to send a strong message to motorists who still have no intention of turning away from their lawlessness, in spite of all the efforts put in place by Government to ensure that our roads are safe and road users reach their destination safe.
Those who will continue to break the law and undermine our humble approach toward lawlessness must be ready to face the consequence. We will continue to hit hard on all non compliance. We will leave no stone unturned towards all offenders.
To those who abide and comply, kindly accept our sincere gratitude for your contribution towards keeping our roads safe. May you be blessed and continue to do the right thing.
We wish all those who will be travelling back home a safe journey and Arrive Alive.
L.J Leeto
Summary -General Remarks
Highest Speed per day from 29 November to 26 December 2010
