Ministers Warn Matric Rage Revellers of No-Nonsense Approach Regarding Road Safety

On 27 November 2013, candidates in the 2013 National Senior Certificate examinations will write the last of the "major examinations", History Paper 2.

“Although a number of examinations still remain, the majority of our candidates have already completed their examinations,” said Minister Grant.

“Papers still to be written include a number of language papers such as Urdu, Spanish, Hindi and German, as well as, Consumer and Hospitality Studies, and the Sport and Exercise Science Paper. I would like to appeal to the candidate’s writing these examinations to remain focused in these remaining few days.”

The NSC Examinations are scheduled to end on Friday 29 November 2013.

“Candidates are reminded, however, that they are required to be available up to 4 December for any eventuality – such as the need to rewrite a paper,” said Grant. “Marking will then commence on 30 November until the 13 December 2013.”

Grant said that completing their school career and the NSC is certainly something for the candidates to celebrate.

“They have ended a 12 year career of schooling and a stressful exam period. While all our candidates deserve to celebrate, I appeal to them to do so responsibly,” says Grant.

“In the coming days, many of our candidates will join friends at mass parties known as the 'Matric Rage'. These parties are held all around the Province, with candidates travelling to areas such as Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus. Every year, we hear of reports of candidate’s that have been involved in car crashes while celebrating the end of exams, with some tragically ending in death.”

Grant said he was pleased that the Western Cape Government will be taking a “no-nonsense approach” when it comes to road and community safety during this period.

Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, said  ”In anticipation of the annual influx of students and matriculants to various holiday destinations, including Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus, the Western Cape Traffic Services will be working 24 hours a day with the Municipal Traffic services, to improve safety on our roads.”

Plato indicated that the operational plan for this period will include the following:   

• Traffic officers will be on duty on a 24/7 basis to enforce Traffic and other Law Enforcement By-laws and will be present at identified activity venues;
• Weekend alcohol blitzes will take place (vehicle and driver fitness tests will be conducted  including alcohol screening); and
• Visible policing patrols on the N2  will be sustained;
• The distribution of disposable breathalysers and the promotion of road safety awareness.

“There will also be 24/7 traffic policing across the rest of the province, with a ‘no-nonsense approach’ to ensure road safety. It is therefore in the candidate’s best interests to exercise extreme caution while driving,” said Plato.

Minister for Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle has asked learners and their friends be vigilant of other vehicles and pedestrians, and ensure that they all buckle up.

“Revelers must use additional private and public transport services that are available when travelling between venues, and refrain from getting behind the wheel after consuming amounts of alcohol that exceeds the legal requirement.”

“With our recent launch of the Safely Home’s 'It Only Takes a Second to Save a Life' campaign, the emphasis is now very strongly on BUCKLING UP; an act that, through very little effort, will most likely be the difference between life and death. Our enforcement officers will be out in full force ensuring that all road rules are adhered to, and that vehicle occupants are buckled up,” said Minister Carlisle.

“This ‘no-nonsense approach’ will continue to be enforced, as is the case throughout the year, across the province and particularly during the upcoming holiday period”.

Grant added, “Let us all ensure that, come January the 7th, every single one of our candidates’ personally pick up their matric result.”

“It is then, I am certain, we will all have something to celebrate.”