​By Staff Writer
Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called on road users to exercise extra caution as the Easter long weekend draws to its end.
MEC Diale-Tlabela has expressed her concern following preliminary statistics indicating that several provinces, including Gauteng experienced an unprecedented increase in the spate of crashes and fatalities this year.
"We reiterate our call to all road users to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others. Motorists are further called upon to exercise vigilance whilst driving at night and to ensure that passengers in their vehicles always use safety belts during the journey," said MEC.
She has called on road users to desist from driving at high speeds, driving under the influence of alcohol, substance abuse and the use of cell phones while driving.
"We plead with pedestrians to refrain from hitchhiking on freeways and highways and not to walk on roads while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and always wear bright clothes for visibility.
The Department of Roads and Transport is working closely with sister departments to ensure that law enforcement officers maintain the highest form of visibility to closely monitor driver behaviour and ensuring that everyone complies with the rules of the road even beyond Easter weekend.