Stop-and-check public transport scheme launched in SA

Date: 5/9/2011

Public transport vehicles across South Africa were stopped and checked last week following an order from the country's Transport Minister.

Sibusiso Ndebele called on law enforcement officers to carry out the inspections on buses and taxis, after three bus crashes within one week left several individuals dead.

In one case on August 30th, 11 people were killed while travelling on a bus that overturned near to the town of Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape Province.

Mr Ndebele said: "As part of the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan, the month of September will be dedicated to public transport enforcement. The safety of commuters is paramount and all public transport vehicles will be monitored closely by transport authorities."

Under the original plan, which ran until the end of July, law enforcement groups were charged with inspecting vehicles and acting on offences such as automobiles being overloaded, passengers failing to wear seatbelts and drivers having consumed alcohol before setting off.

Transport Minister Ndebele noted that as part of the United Nations' (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety, public transport companies should endeavour to take responsibility for the safety of their commuters.

He also told attendees of a MinMec meeting in Cape Town that local executive council members need to ensure provincial road safety schemes are brought in line with the UN campaign.

The Decade of Action is aimed at ensuring governments, vehicle manufacturers, finance groups and planners work together to improve road safety.

Posted by Sarah Bailey