Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa 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 making remarks on World Road Traffic Day at a wreath-laying ceremony for fallen road traffic officers in Pretoria on Sunday.

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

“Today, we gather to celebrate a day to reflect, honor and remember those whose lives have been tragically cut short or forever changed by road collisions globally. We also solemnly remember the fallen traffic policemen who died in the line of duty, trying to prevent road collisions and save lives.

“As we remember the 69 traffic officers who died on line duty in 2019, we reflect on the significance of their sacrifice. These officers gave their lives in the pursuit of justice and the protection of others,” he said.

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

The Deputy Minister said the officers did not shy away from 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 of road deaths. South Africa recorded 11 883 road deaths last year, a 4.4% decrease from 2022. However, the figure reflects thousands more lives lost.

“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 changed forever,” 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 from a baseline of 13 967 fatalities in 2010. Despite this, Hlengwa stressed that progress must accelerate to meet the 2030 halving target. road deaths.

In response, the government plans to revise the strategy, setting a target to reduce road deaths by 5% by the 2024/25 financial year.

“Based on this, it goes without saying that South Africa has made progress, achieving a 15% reduction compared to 2010. Now, it’s not just about pain, it’s about 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 fatalities so that we can reach our target sooner rather than later.

“In the medium term there will be a greater emphasis on traffic education, engineering and law enforcement. Effective evaluation mechanisms will also be put in place to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of our programmes. The revised target is to reduce road fatalities by five (5) percent for the financial year 2024/2025,” said Hlengwa.

A day of remembrance and determination

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

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

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

The Deputy Minister outlined essential actions to prevent road accidents, including driver education, improving road infrastructure and supporting survivors.

“Road accidents are often preventable. Whether through better infrastructure, safer vehicles, responsible driving or stricter enforcement of laws, we can do a lot to reduce the number of lives lost on our roads,” he urged.

Globally, South Africa lags behind countries that have achieved remarkable reductions in road deaths. Hlengwa pointed out that ten countries reduced deaths by more than 50% last year, providing a benchmark for South Africa to aspire to. – SAnews.gov.za