Prayers to stop the carnage on our roads

PHOLA PARK – Reducing the carnage on the N11 road was the main concern at the end of August when the Mogalakwena Municipality, the Department of Health and Social Development, Department of Transport and pastors from different churches joined together in prayer.

Between April 2012 and December 2015, about 2 000 people lost their lives on N11 said Department of Traffic.

The gathering started near a spot on the N11 that claimed seven lives in May and ended at the Mogalakwena Municipality’s chambers with the presence of Mayor Adrina Matsemela.

Pastor Nomanazela Thate, from United Holy Praise Church in Southern African, said the purpose of the prayer was to call upon God for divine intervention to help us find a lasting solution to the scourge of road carnage. “As we pray let us be mindful of the threats that we have, which include: road conditions, stray animals, road closures (hazardous substances), motorists’ behaviour, aggression, speed, drunken driving and criminal elements.”

“Let us continue to pray for our traffic officers and other law enforcement agencies in an effort to conduct high visibility patrols, provide an efficient emergency and law enforcement response services and to intensify operations against preventing road accidents,” she added.

Johanna Lekalakala, Principal Provincial Inspector (PPI) at Department of Transport said the department intend to provide an opportunity for long-term and coordinate activities in support of the national and local road safety initiatives. “Major problems that cause accidents on N11 and any other road are alcohol consumption by road users, sometimes motorists commit moving violations, un-roadworthy vehicles, majority of motorists do not adhere to speed limits, and jay walking is another problem,” she said.

Mogalakwena Mayor, Andrina Matsemela, said that solid partnerships must be built with everyone, including public transport operators, law enforcement agencies, business, civil society, religious community and community leaders in order to make and indelible contribution to a fight against road accidents, thus making road safety everybody’s responsibility.