Motorists caught puckering up to steal a kiss while behind the wheel will face anything but love from the law.
The same goes for those who try to capture their moment on the drive with a selfie, or those diehards who dare to tweet and drive.
The Eastern Cape transport department has embarked on a new road safety campaign to clamp down on motorists caught kissing and driving, texting and driving or taking selfies while behind the wheel.
Launched on October 1 at the start of transport month, the campaign kicked off with a series of posters featuring transport MEC Weziwe Tikana’s stern face with the road safety messages in different languages.
“Don’t kiss and drive”, one poster says, while another warns motorists against taking strong or sedating medication before driving.
Transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said while they were still focused on curbing drinking and driving, the new campaign bore a different message to grab the attention of its intended audience – young drivers.
According to Kumbaca, a study of the trends and behavioural patterns of young drivers conducted via social networks revealed that many are prone to the acts listed above.
Kumbaca said the department had the responsibility to identify all potential risks that could lead to accidents and aim to curb them.
“Social networks serve as a great resource to look at the trends and behavioural patters of people. The campaign is meant to challenge road users who do it or prevent those who have never done it,” Kumbaca said.
“This period leading to the festive season is notorious for road fatalities and as such the department saw it fitting to launch the campaign now in October, extending the road safety awareness campaign until December.”
Despite the department’s firm stance, many members of the public have found a humorous side to the campaign. Days after the campaign was launched, parodies and memes flooded social networks.
A number of Saturday Dispatch readers, who commented on the Facebook page, labelled the campaign as a joke.
Paris Ioannou said driving and eating posed a greater danger. “I have seen more people eating behind the wheel then kissing.
“Ice cream, chicken…you name it,” he said.
Abulele Kufa said: “People who come up with these laws don’t even drive; they are driven around. They are busy setting laws they don’t follow.”
Kumbaca said despite the negative comments, the department was continuing with the campaign.
“The issues affecting road users require a new approach and new messages that will address the issues on the ground and drive meaningful discussions.
“There is an urgent need to engage road users with the purpose of reducing the avoidable accidents that are mainly the result of negligence.”