Why daily roadblocks could change how South Africans drive

Daily roadblocks and increased police visibility are enough to prompt better behaviour on the roads, including drinking and driving.

Mtshakazi said it could be a useful tool for managing traffic and reducing fatalities.

He explains that people often need consequences to change their behaviour, much like in school when homework was checked daily.

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If drivers knew they would be stopped daily, they would be more likely to ensure their licenses and discs were up to date, and their vehicles’ roadworthiness was in check.

“The fear of potentially going to prison or getting arrested does something to our minds and automatically changes how we behave,” he says.

Mtshakazi also emphasises the importance of community involvement in reporting roadblocks and holding one another accountable.

“There are a lot of things that are found at roadblocks; people who are missing or wanted by the police are often found at roadblocks. This is why we need to be part and parcel of it in terms of building a greater culture and a greater country for us all,” he says.

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To listen to Mtshakazi in conversation with 702’s Gugs Mhlungu, use the audio player below: