Deputy Minister Hlengwa Welcomes 123 Newly Graduated Traffic, Road Safety Officers

Deputy Minister for Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa welcomed the 123 newly graduated traffic officers and 56 road safety officers, highlighting that they are key to ensuring safety on the roads and play an important role in reducing accidents, saving lives and promoting respect and responsibility among road users.

During the Passing Out and Graduation Ceremony at the Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Academy in Tshwane, Gauteng, Hlengwa said that it was perfect for the ceremony to take place in December, a month is known for an increase in road crashes, fatalities and lawlessness.

"This passing out parade and graduation therefore signal[s] our commitment to increase our capacity to respond to this scourge of road fatalities in our country. As traffic and road safety officers, you are custodians of safety on our roads," he said, SA News reported.

He added, "Your presence is a testament to our nation's commitment to reducing road accidents, saving lives, and fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among road users."

Hlengwa highlighted that road-related incidents affect countless lives every day, explaining that behind each statistic is a story of families hurt, dreams lost and communities impacted. He stressed that traffic officers play an essential role in preventing these tragedies through their vigilance, enforcement and education efforts.

He also stated that the country is facing a crisis due to road crashes. Reckless drivers are destroying communities, leading to loss of life and devastating families. Road fatalities are not only a financial burden but also cause significant pain and suffering for the affected families.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation's State of Road Safety Report for 2023 estimates the total cost of road crashes at R205.13 billion, which is about 2.74% of the country's GDP for the year.

The deputy minister explained that these costs are damaging to the economy, affecting both small and large businesses and slowing down economic recovery. He emphasized the need for continued efforts to prevent crashes, as many are caused by human error and are avoidable.

He also pointed out that human factors, particularly reckless and negligent driving, remain the leading cause of crashes, serious injuries and deaths. He stressed that such behavior, especially when drivers act with impunity, cannot be tolerated on the roads.

In the last financial year, the National Traffic Police carried out 3,280 actions to address issues like drunk driving, moving violations, speeding, pedestrian safety and overloading.