Safety the biggest focus of Transport Month

07 October 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) in Region D on Thursday October 6 undertook a safety awareness campaign under the theme “Safe Streets and Transport For All” as part of citywide Transport Month activities.

Region D CRUM Co-ordinator Nomvula Dlame and her team interacted with public transport drivers, passengers and residents at the Kliptown Taxi Rank and Maponya Mall in Soweto as well as nearby townships and informal settlements to raise awareness of public transport safety.

Taxi drivers belonging to the Soweto Taxi Services were reminded about the importance of obeying the rules of the road, and fitness and roadworthiness of their vehicles, and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

When Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba launched Transport Month recently, she said the City would champion a number of activities. She said it would focus on road safety, road conditions to support economic growth, the dangers of vandalism of road infrastructure and cable theft.

South Africa has since 2005 observed October as Transport Month to raise awareness of the important role transport plays in the economy. On Saturday October 8 about 100 drivers in the public transport sector will be recognised for their safety records, driving skills and excellent service.

Dlame said the campaign, which involves members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and South African Police Service, was not a once-off initiative. She emphasised that the drivers should refrain from taking drugs and alcohol. He added that the City would also appeal to traffic officers to treat drivers with dignity and respect.

Lesedi Mogweng of the Community Outreach Unit appealed to taxi drivers to obey road signs and traffic lights and stop texting while driving. He said fatigue was one of the main causes of accidents and advised drivers to pull aside when tired.

He appealed to them to renew their drivers’ licences, discs and public drivers’ permits before they expired.
Mogweng said the City would soon embark on advanced and defensive driving training for public transport sector drivers.

STS Training Officer JM Sibeko urged drivers to be proactive, cautious and always put the passenger first.
On Friday October 14, the City’s leadership will join the Johannesburg Roads Agency for the “extreme makeover” of certain streets in Zandspruit.

Activities will include the cleaning of streets, repainting of road signs and removal of illegal advertising and stickers from road signs.

Safety the biggest focus of Transport Month

The City of Johannesburg’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) in Region D on Thursday October 6 undertook a safety awareness campaign under the theme “Safe Streets and Transport For All” as part of citywide Transport Month activities.

Region D CRUM Co-ordinator Nomvula Dlame and her team interacted with public transport drivers, passengers and residents at the Kliptown Taxi Rank and Maponya Mall in Soweto as well as nearby townships and informal settlements to raise awareness of public transport safety.

Taxi drivers belonging to the Soweto Taxi Services were reminded about the importance of obeying the rules of the road, and fitness and roadworthiness of their vehicles, and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

When Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba launched Transport Month recently, she said the City would champion a number of activities. She said it would focus on road safety, road conditions to support economic growth, the dangers of vandalism of road infrastructure and cable theft.

South Africa has since 2005 observed October as Transport Month to raise awareness of the important role transport plays in the economy. On Saturday October 8 about 100 drivers in the public transport sector will be recognised for their safety records, driving skills and excellent service.

Dlame said the campaign, which involves members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and South African Police Service, was not a once-off initiative. She emphasised that the drivers should refrain from taking drugs and alcohol. He added that the City would also appeal to traffic officers to treat drivers with dignity and respect.

Lesedi Mogweng of the Community Outreach Unit appealed to taxi drivers to obey road signs and traffic lights and stop texting while driving. He said fatigue was one of the main causes of accidents and advised drivers to pull aside when tired.

He appealed to them to renew their drivers’ licences, discs and public drivers’ permits before they expired.
Mogweng said the City would soon embark on advanced and defensive driving training for public transport sector drivers.

STS Training Officer JM Sibeko urged drivers to be proactive, cautious and always put the passenger first.
On Friday October 14, the City’s leadership will join the Johannesburg Roads Agency for the “extreme makeover” of certain streets in Zandspruit.

Activities will include the cleaning of streets, repainting of road signs and removal of illegal advertising and stickers from road signs.