NATIONAL NEWS - Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s efforts to apply the broken window theory to road safety in South Africa paid off, with a 45.6% drop in road fatalities, the lowest in three years.

The Minister reported a 32,5% reduction in accidents, with no accidents reported on the N1 in Limpopo, despite the Zion Christian Church reopening its pilgrimage for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

This is considered one of the busiest roads.

“MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, believes to give credit where credit is due. The results announced by Minister Creecy today speaks of hard work, dedication and proper collaboration between the Transport Department, the South African Police Service and other law enforcement authorities.

“MISA witnessed a rapid increase in road blocks and visibility of law enforcement officers implemented under the authority of Minister Creecy as she treats road safety as a national crisis. This approach is saving lives on our roads,” says Martlé Keyter, the Union’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations.

Keyter also acknowledged Creecy’s observation that there has been a growing shift in public behaviour with thousands of drivers behaving more responsibly.

According to the Minister 21 607 traffic fines were issued over the Easter weekend, 512 motorist were arrested of which 111 drunk drivers in the Eastern Cape.

MISA especially welcomes the 89 arrests of pedestrians for jaywalking.

Lawlessness amongst pedestrians were responsible for 41 % of fatalities on South African roads over the past Festive Season.

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