Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has called on South Africans to honor the sacrifices of road traffic enforcement officers and recommit to making the roads safer for all.

The deputy minister was delivering a speech to mark World Road Traffic Victims’ Remembrance Day, at a wreath-laying ceremony for fallen traffic officers in Pretoria on Sunday.

Hlengwa highlighted the dual tragedy of lives lost in road accidents and those sacrificed by officers protecting others.

“Today we come together to celebrate a day to reflect, honor and remember those whose lives have been tragically cut short or forever changed by collisions on the world’s roads. We also solemnly remember law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, while attempting to prevent traffic accidents and save lives.

“As we remember the 69 traffic officers who have died in the line of duty since 2019, we reflect on the significance of their sacrifice. These police officers gave their lives to seek justice and protect others,” he said.

The majority of these officers, 28 in total, were from Gauteng, followed by 13 from KwaZulu-Natal, nine from Mpumalanga, seven from the Eastern Cape and seven from Limpopo, two from the National Traffic Police and one from the state free. Northern Cape and Western Cape.

The deputy minister said the officers did not shy away from the danger but faced it with courage and determination. In doing so, he said, they showed the nation what true heroism looks like: a commitment to service that goes beyond duty and extends into the realm of sacrifice.

The Deputy Minister reflected on the alarming statistics on road deaths. South Africa recorded 11,883 road deaths last year, a decrease of 4.4% compared to 2022. However, this figure still reflects thousands of shattered lives.

“These tragedies are not just statistics; they are real people: mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues. Behind every number is a person with dreams, aspirations and loved ones, whose world is forever changed,” he said.

Progress and renewed commitments

South Africa has made progress since the launch of the National Road Safety Strategy in 2016, with a 15% reduction in fatalities compared to the baseline figure of 13,967 fatalities in 2010. Despite this, Hlengwa has stressed that progress must accelerate to achieve the 2030 halving target. dead on the road.

In response, the government plans to review the strategy, setting a road fatality reduction target of 5% for the 2024/25 financial year.

“On this basis, it stands to reason that South Africa has made progress, achieving a 15 percent reduction compared to 2010. But today, it is not just a time for sorrow, but for the action. Every life lost is a call to action for us all to take road safety seriously.

“As a country, we have decided to review our national road safety strategy to accelerate the rate of reduction in the number of fatalities so that we can achieve the set target as soon as possible.

“In the medium term, more attention will be paid to road safety education, engineering and law enforcement. Effective evaluation mechanisms will also be put in place to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of our programs. The revised target is to reduce road fatalities by five (5) percent for the 2024/25 financial year,” Hlengwa said.

A day of remembrance and resolution

Hlengwa paid tribute to road accident victims and their families, calling on the nation to remember the human cost behind these statistics.

“Today, we stand united in the hope that our collective efforts can help prevent future tragedies. We remember that every life is precious and every loss is deeply felt within families, communities and nations.

“As we light a candle in remembrance, let us also light a flame of hope – hope for safer roads, for a future where fewer families will have to experience the heartache of losing a loved one in a road accident “, he said.

The Deputy Minister outlined key measures to prevent road accidents, including driver training, improving road infrastructure and supporting survivors.

“Road accidents are often preventable. Whether through better infrastructure, safer vehicles, responsible driving or stronger law enforcement, we can do much to reduce the number of lives lost on our roads,” he insisted.

Globally, South Africa lags behind some countries that have managed to significantly reduce road deaths. Hlengwa highlighted that ten countries reduced deaths by more than 50% last year, which is a benchmark South Africa aspires to. – SAnews.gov.za