​By Koena Moabelo
MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela joined law-enforcement officials from the Public Transport Intervention Unit (PTUI) to launch the 2022 Provincial Festive Season Road Safety Campaign.
The launch took place on Friday, 25 November along the N12, near the Caltex Garage, towards Potchefstroom, North-West Province. The MEC and the law-enforcement agencies also visited the Westonaria Taxi Rank to engage drivers and commuters on the importance of safety and adhering to rules whilst using the road.  
The Intervention Unit led by Mr. Lesley Mdingane, was joined by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and other law enforcement agencies. The launch set to achieve commitments to accelerate the implementation of road safety measures in the province.
Referring to important aspects of road safety, MEC Diale-Tlabela indicated the approach requires all to focus on all road users, pedestrians, cyclists and bikers.
She added the focus of the campaign will be placed on “road users’ behavioural change, which is key”.
“It is important to respect all the rules of the road and respect other road users. The elements of the safe system approach require us to focus not only on changing driver behaviour but also on all road users - pedestrians, bikers and cyclists. This approach also calls upon us to pay attention to safe vehicles, travelling speeds, safer roads as well as post-crash care”.
In terms of the Decade of Action and consistent with the Road Safety Strategy (2016–2030), all efforts should lead to a 50% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.
The campaign will also target and discourage drunken driving, speeding and use of unroadworthy vehicles. Focus will also be on outstanding fines.
Festive season sees millions of people travelling to various destinations, inside and outside the province, and the MEC has pleaded with road users “to adhere to the rules of the roads at all times and drive responsibly”.
She added the busy period requires officials to skillfully deploy resources to be present cover the whole province.
The MEC also called on motorists to ensure their licenses are valid, vehicles are roadworthy so as not to delay and disturb the work of law-enforcement agencies on the road. She indicated that licensing centres are open on weekends to address the license backlog.
​​​​​​​Two major taxi structures in the province, namely, South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) were in attendance  and pledged their support.