The DA is deeply concerned that despite promises from both KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Transport (DoT) and Office of the Premier (OTP) to ensure increased law enforcement on our province’s major routes – the reality on the ground is far from it.
KZN’s roads have become a deathtrap, with horrific accidents taking place on our roads on an almost daily basis.
It is critical that road traffic laws are properly enforced to ensure road safety and discourage lawlessness, particularly as we head into the busy festive season with higher traffic volumes.
Law enforcement officials need to ensure that speeding, drunk driving, and other dangerous behaviours that contribute to accidents and fatalities are penalized appropriately. Officials must also be held accountable for their roles and responsibilities and held to a higher standard to effectively carry out their duties.
KZN’s DoT also needs to ensure that corruption, and inefficient traffic management are stamped out with a zero-tolerance stance for both. Corruption within the enforcement system must be removed as it undermines road safety and public trust.
The DA firmly believes that using emergent technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) could go a long way in assisting the DoT to reduce road fatalities during busy periods.
Modern transport departments around the world are embracing AI technology, to identify and adjust traffic patterns in order to avoid risks, divert traffic from harms’ way, and to enforce speed limits and safe-driving behaviour. KZN’s DoT must be brought into the modern age, on this front.
The DA will continue to call for improved resources including technology and other infrastructure to support law enforcement. This includes better traffic monitoring technologies, more well-trained personnel, and adequate funding. The DoT must start investing in emerging technologies in monitoring road behaviour, in order to save lives.
The DA appeals to KZN’s citizens and all visitors to our province to adhere to the rules of the road to ensure a safe journey. We also call on the DoT to step up and fulfil their duties in this regard.