YOUTH DRIVERS EMPOWERED AS ROAD SAFETY CHAMPIONS IN MAHIKENG

In a direct bid to curb the devastating toll of road traffic accidents among young people, the Road Safety Management Directorate hosted a pivotal training workshop at Taletso TVET College today.The 2026 Road Safety Youth Driver Workshop, intentionally aligned with Youth month commemorations, gathered students, traffic experts, and policymakers to address what officials call a growing national crisis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death globally for people aged 5 to 29, claiming roughly 1,000 young lives every single day. A Call to ActionMs. Motshabi Tshukudu, Director of Road Safety Management, addressed the students with a stark warning about the rising death toll. “These are preventable deaths that continue to rob families, communities, and our country of future leaders, innovators, and professionals,” Ms.Tshukudu stated. “We are here because we want to preserve our future as government.” She challenged attendees to look beyond basic traffic laws and view road safety as a moral responsibility to protect human life. The ultimate goal, she noted, is to transform young drivers into safety ambassadors within their respective communities.Collaborative TrainingThe intensive workshop combined legal theory with practical survival skills behind the wheel. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development briefed youth on the severe legal consequences of traffic violations.The Road Accident Fund (RAF) provided critical information on post-crash support and responsibility.
Master Drive and the Mahikeng Local Municipality facilitated practical guidance and defensive driving techniques.

The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management plans to intensify similar educational programmes with other districts to ensure the lessons reach beyond the campus gates.