Pietermaritzburg – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport will be setting a number of roadblocks across the province during the Easter holiday to curb road accidents.

MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Cele said they would be conducting roadblocks on all the major roads of the province until the end of Easter holidays.

“The Easter holiday period is one such time when much of our attention turns towards the increased traffic volumes as road safety is a key priority of our government.

“Our country cannot afford to continue to loose many lives and experience serious injuries everyday.

“Not only is the pain and suffering immeasurable for victims and their families, but the cost to the economy is more than R43 billion per annum,” said Mr Cele.

He said the department will focus their attention on over speeding vehicles, over loading vehicles, drinking and driving and unroadworthy vehicles, as these are some of the major contributors to the horrific accidents.

The MEC has urged the public that there would be no mercy on traffic offenders this Easter weekend.

“People can be rest assured that no mercy will be shown to any traffic offender. They have been warned, if they do not comply with the law, they will face the full might of the law,” said Mr Cele.

According to the department, various projects by national, provincial and local authorities will be undertaken during the Easter period including:

Project Blue Light where all patrol vehicles will drive with their blue lights during adverse weather conditions and at night.

Lights on Campaign where motorists are encouraged to drive with headlamps on during the day and night in support of the national campaign.

Sector Policing which is aimed at having patrol vehicles visible on the N3 Corridor every 20 to 30kms from Van Reenen Pass to Durban.

Operation Nil which involves sobriety testing of bus drivers at deports.

Operation Thatha and Phepha Ndoda which will focus on pedestrian activity arrests.

Mr Cele also urged the people to be vigilant and pray for a safer South Africa, where the number of road accidents and incidents of crime will be significantly reduced.

Last year statistics by the Department of Transport revealed that 315 people were killed during the Easter holidays in South Africa, while 41 people lost their lives in the province, nine drivers, 11 passengers and 21 pedestrians. – BuaNews