The DA in the Northern Cape has called on the SAPS, traffic authorities and the health department to urgently put together an action plan to improve road safety along the N18 before the festive season starts.
THE DA in the Northern Cape has called on the SAPS, traffic authorities and the health department to urgently put together an action plan to improve road safety along the N18 before the festive season starts.
According to Phokwane DA councillor Annette van Wyk, the N18 is famously congested along the stretch between Kimberley, Warrenton, and Vrybrug. Additionally, it runs parallel to a railway line that has eight crossings.
Van Wyk noted that between 10 and 20 accidents happen on the road every month, the most horrific of which recently cost six lives, while this year also saw two fatal incidents along the railway route.
“Driver weariness, overtaking, drunk driving and failure to stop at railroad crossings are the leading causes of accidents. Therefore, it is crucial to have traffic visibility and after-hours checkpoints to enforce driving discipline,” said Van Wyk.
She added that the DA applauds community organisations for taking the effort to form their own fast-reaction teams, but they shouldn’t have to do this by themselves.
According to Van Wyk, due to personnel shortages and financial restrictions for overtime, traffic employees work until 4pm on weekdays and until 12am on Fridays.
“The council overwhelmingly approved a resolution put up by the DA to appoint three more traffic officers from November 1 to January 30,” said Van Wyk. “In order to allow traffic cops to patrol and respond to accidents after hours, when their services are most needed, we are also urging the municipality to implement shift work and off days.
“In order to better co-ordinate a quick reaction to incidents, the DA is also proposing a stakeholder conference with municipal and provincial traffic, the SAPS and the Province’s health department.
“Authorities on traffic need to share their resources and personnel. It is necessary to address the lack of roadside enforcement tools, particularly breathalyser testing. Additionally, the SAPS must be present and actively participate in taking charge of accident situations. Life-saving tools like the Jaws of Life must be kept in working order and ambulances responding to incidents must have supplies like oxygen.”
Van Wyk concluded by saying that “this Christmas season we must work together to prevent traffic fatalities and make sure that passengers have the best chance of surviving any incidents”.
