Question NW3428 to the Minister of Transport

Reply:

A national integrated plan identifying hazardous routes in each province has been developed. Law enforcement operations will be held along these routes by provincial and municipal traffic departments.

Mobile vehicle testing equipment will also be deployed along the routes to tests the roadworthiness of the trucks.

Block patrols will also be intensified to ensure that drivers conduct themselves appropriately and drive with due consideration for other road users.

The National Traffic Police will be deployed to assist provinces in areas where there is insufficient capacity.

Section 50 of the National Traffic Act, which empowers MECs to deal with repeat offenders, will be invoked to enable MECs to initiate investigations against operators and to obtain information about vehicle and driver fitness.

Regulations to strengthen the current rules relating to the operation of trucks on a public road, the construction and equipment of such vehicle and the conditions on which it may be operated are being considered.

Department of Transport is working closely with Department of Public Enterprises to move cargo from road to rail.

Sanral will implement engineering solution, where required, to provide median barrier to prevent vehicle from overtaking onto oncoming traffic.

Monitoring mechanisms have been put in place and reports will be analysed regularly to ensure that these interventions have the desired impact.