MEC Jacob Mamabolo has appealed to
road users to change their attitudes and behaviour in an effort to reduce fatalities.
The MEC was speaking at the launch
of Hlokomela – Ndlelanhle, the province’s Road Safety Campaign, a partnership
between the Gauteng Provincial Government and major minibus taxi associations,
the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Gauteng National Taxi
Alliance (GNTA).
The campaign kicked off with joint
law-enforcement operations on the N12 and Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1 south
of Johannesburg. The MEC and taxi leadership interacted with motorists and
pleaded with them to always observe and adhere to the rules of the road. 
“We are appealing to motorists to
change their conduct on the roads to assist us in drastically reducing road
fatalities. They should refrain from using cellphones while driving, not speed,
refrain from reckless overtaking and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy”
cautioned the MEC.
They have also been emphasizing the
importance of inspecting vehicles for roadworthiness as well as sharing
information on public road safety.
MEC Mamabolo added that the
Department has also entered into an agreement with Gerotek, a subsidiary of
Armscor, to introduce advanced driving training in the taxi industry. 
“This is the first step in our
efforts to change driver behaviour on our roads. We have decided that the taxi
industry, as a major people mover in our province, should lead the programme to
reskill our drivers. We have come to a realisation that there are weaknesses in
driver training and advanced driving is a major step towards improving the
driving skills on our roads,” Mamabolo said. 
The campaign was also taken to the
N1 and N4 on the northern parts of the City of Tshwane in partnership with
Bakwena Company. The company is responsible for designing, building, financing,
operating and maintaining the Bakwena N1 and N4 freeways.
In their message of support,
SANTACO’s Midday Mali indicated that the association is “in full support of the
road safety campaign” and thanked the Provincial Government for partnering with
the taxi industry.
He added that the “association is
embarking on a number of rank activations to reinforce the road safety messages
to drivers”. 
GNTA’s Mr Thami Buthelezi shared
Mali’s sentiments adding that they will encourage their drivers to take regular
rests when driving long distances and ensure vehicles are roadworthy.
MEC added that “in the coming weeks,
we will be in every corner of the province spreading the message of road
safety”.