With hours left to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World, first on the African soil, more than 400 Eastern Cape traffic law enforcement agencies have converged in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to start their operations.
A total of 175 provincial traffic special operations task team members have arrived in Port Elizabeth to join their 39 colleagues based in Straundale together with more than 200 Nelson Mandela Bay Metro traffic officers.
During the World Cup, these officers will conduct traffic law enforcement activities; reduce delays through traffic control, escort FIFA family, teams and sponsors to and from the airports, hotels, stadium and fan festivals.
“All 719 Provincial Traffic Officers are now ready to work in collaboration with municipal traffic officers and the SAPS members to maintain law and order on our roads during the tournament,” says Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC Ghishma Barry. Last month, the Department of Transport received 48 additional new vehicles for provincial traffic officers.
“We will pay particular attention to all major routes and ensure that we check vehicles, especially public transport vehicles and all those that have been found to be unroadworthy would be removed from the road. We will further deal with fatigue by interacting and disrupting the drivers through forcing them out of the road (breaking their trip) to stretch their legs. We call upon owners of long distance public transport vehicles to ensure that they have at least two drivers per trip in order to avoid fatigue related accidents,” added Barry.
During the tournament, all road users are encouraged to notify our customer care centre through our toll free number 0800 644 644 about any accident or incident on our roads.
Last week, the department launched the Eastern Cape’s First Alcohol Evidence Centre in Straundale, Port Elizabeth, which has been sponsored by the South African Breweries, in an effort to intensify our law enforcement against drunken driving.
The establishment of this Alcohol Evidence Centre will ensure that:
* No more inefficient and ineffective blood testing
* Significant reduction in processing time
* Significant increase in arrest
* No more lost or damaged evidence
* Plus minus 85 percent of those charged admit guilt
* Plus minus 95 percent of cases contested in court are won.
Enquiries:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 442 2388
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
10 June 2010
Source: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ectransport.gov.za/)
