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The DA calls on new KZN Transport MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, to use this October Transport Month to assess his Department’s previous failures in an effort to ensure that our province’s roads are made safer.

The appeal comes as innocent people continue to die amid lawlessness and a severe lack of visible policing on some of KZN’s busiest roads.

It is undeniable that our province has become a haven for reckless drivers, unroadworthy trucks and public transport operator vehicles. What used to be the unusual occurrence of horror accidents involving heavy vehicles has now become an almost daily feature.

Abiding by the rules and showing respect for other road users has fallen by the wayside. Instead, there is a complete lack of adherence to the law, with drivers of trucks and taxi’s in particular having no regard for others. This as profit is prioritised over peoples’ lives.

To make matters worse, few are held to account for their actions. This lack of law enforcement has also led to public transport and trucking companies failing to ensure vehicle roadworthiness.

Despite the carnage that exists, KZN’s Department of Transport (DoT) has been silent on stricter measures to turn the situation around. Given the turmoil and lack of direction that appears to exist, the DA today calls on the MEC to implement the following regulations;

- Compulsory defensive driver training for truck and taxi drivers before licences are issued
- Increased law enforcement at truck rest stops to deter criminal activity and avoid driver fatigue
- Heavy fines for truck and taxi operators who put unroadworthy vehicles on our roads
- An increase in the number of Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers on our roads and round-the-clock visibility
- Proper monitoring of KZN’s weigh bridges, which must be open 24 hours a day, with the introduction of more weigh bridges
- Enforcement of weight restrictions on certain roads with strict control
- Strict monitoring of overloading in terms of both passengers and goods
- Implementation and monitoring of a 100km maximum speed limit when transporting children and;
- Ensuring a zero tolerance attitude to drunk and reckless drivers.

We expect the MEC to take these proposals seriously. Transport Month cannot be yet another tick-box event on a calendar. A no-nonsense approach must be taken against all drivers who place lives at risk if the unprecedented carnage on our roads is to be reduced.

Issued by Sharon Hoosen, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Transport