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A Shocking number of lives are being lost on Eastern Cape Roads

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Dear MyPE

As the world stops and remembers the victims of road accidents this Sunday (18 November 2018), the Democratic Alliance would like to extend our condolences to the families of those who were tragically killed on Eastern Cape Roads.

In response to a parliamentary question received this week, Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana revealed that between 2015 and 2017, 6,815 people have lost their lives in fatal car crashes in the province.

Tikana said 1,613 people had died on our roads in 2017, including 132 children under the age of 14.

As we approach the festive season, more needs to be done to curb the lawlessness on our roads that has claimed so many lives.

Between 1 December last year and January 15, 173 accidents occurred on the roads, with 213 lives lost. This is simply unacceptable. One life lost is a life too many.

The Democratic Alliance calls on traffic law enforcement agencies to take action and implement effective law enforcement strategies and programmes. These agencies must increase traffic police visibility in order to curb the number of road fatalities over the festive season.

The Democratic Alliance is committed to implementing stricter penalties for drivers who disobey the rules of the road and the policing of vehicles, such as those that transport learners, as well as overloaded trucks, in order to reduce road accidents.

We urge Eastern Cape road users to exercise caution on our roads over the festive season. Be vigilant and help save lives.

The DA is committed to creating a roads network that is safe and secure for everyone.

Regards

Marshall von Buchenroder

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.