The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges all road users to act in the interest of safety this Easter weekend.

The Federation appeals to those who will be travelling to exercise caution on the roads, moreover when it is raining. We urge road users to be courteous to each other to ensure safe arrival regardless of the length of the trip. All drivers and passengers must always wear seat belts and secure young children in car seats to prevent them suffering head and other injuries in the unfortunate event of accidents.

When on long trips, drivers should stop and rest every two hours to ensure they are alert. Critically, do not drink and drive. At 12 000 per annum, South Africa’s road fatalities are dangerously high. Of these, over 40% are linked to the consumption of alcohol. In January this year, Minister for Transport, Barbara Creecy called for the amendment of the National Traffic Act to institute a total ban on drinking and driving. COSATU supports this call unequivocally.

The number of pedestrians who die on our roads is also deeply worrying. About 46% of the annual road fatalities are pedestrians, with a significant proportion dying while crossing highways. Research by the Department of Transport has found that pedestrians avoid using pedestrian bridges to cross highways because they are a mugging hotspot. Measures to deal with this are being explored.

Addressing the Nedlac Labour School last month, Minister Creecy said her department aimed to reduce road fatalities by 10%. COSATU calls on all road users to help the Transport Department achieve this noble goal.  

For the essential workers on duty this weekend including transport, healthcare and security workers, the Federation intreats them to keep safe.

COSATU wishes all workers and their families a happy and safe Easter Weekend.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za