Transport and Public Works

1. The enhancements made in the Transport Data Hub and the availability of different sources of information for the six districts, helped us to be able to tactically plan and deploy our resources to critical locations and at the specified times taking into consideration traffic volumes. The previous year’s fatality and crash data which provided similarities and trends were used to tactically deploy resources across the Province.

  The adoption of a 365-day Road Safety Calendar approach as well as quarterly planning versus Bi-Annual planning for the year played a significant role to enforce specific operational challenges of the Province throughout the year. On a quarterly basis we could evaluate and re-affirm operational mandates in the lead up to the Festive Season (Quarter 3 2019/20).

Additional resources were deployed from other Traffic Centres to support the operational demands on the N1 during the Festive period including the intensifying of our Fatigue Management Programme at critical locations on all major routes to deal with the exodus and return of traffic.

Our 12-hour deployment and the overlapping of operational shifts on specified days assisted with the improved visibility on all routes which contributed towards good driver behaviour and compliance. The optimal utilisation of technological tools and access to systems produced excellent results in terms of the amount of fraud arrests recorded for the year as well as for bribery, drugs and arrests linked to criminal activity in the Western Cape.  

Our Random Breath Testing operations were strengthened through the deployment of the RBT Sky Banner at high-value events like the Cape Town Sevens and Rocking The Daisies. Our always-on social media platforms achieved huge successes, reaching 9 385 990 people, including 908,916 engagements, more than double the industry standard engagement rate (9.68% vs 3.95%). An important contributor to this success was the new Thin

Blue Line videos which showcase the good work being carried out by members of the Provincial Traffic Services.

Due to the consistent and proactive approach that we are embracing throughout the Province, we will continue to evaluate and critique our methodologies linked to the Ministerial mandates in order to ensure that the objectives are reached, the reduction in fatalities being the most critical aspect thereof.  

2. My department has already started with extensive work to compile and finalise a business and costing model which has been submitted to Treasury for approval to revamp the Directorate Traffic Law Enforcement. Our funding request has already yielded positive results with the allocation of an additional R120 million over the MTEF to realise our vision.

            This model when implemented, will increase the overall number of additional traffic officers and enable the establishment of the Highway Patrol, an Interception Unit, a Public Transport Unit and further promote the regular tactical deployment of our Mobile Vehicle Testing units, which will ensure that the motor vehicles used on all our major routes are roadworthy.