In improving road safety in the province, traffic officers were able to stop and inspect more than 195 000 vehicles across the province during the month of October 2013. Traffic offers issued more than 35 000 fines during the operations. For vehicle defects, the officers issued more than 11 000 written notices to the drivers, predominantly being those charged for driving vehicles with unsuitable tyres (3 141).
During the operations 1 267 vehicles were discontinued and 1 380 were impounded for various violations. 120 drivers were arrested for being on the wrong side of the road. Amongst them 17 were charged for drunken driving, 11 for speed, and 24 for over loading.
During the overall road traffic operations, there were 23 264 written notices issued for moving violations. The majority of these fines were given to drivers who were caught speeding. Amongst the 23 264 written notices issued, 14 141 were for speeding.
The numbers of moving violations are among others contributors to the major crashes that occurred in the province such as the one that was reported yesterday (Wednesday, 06 November 2013) where four people died.
The four people died after a crash between a truck and a sedan on the N4 Road near the Middelburg Dam. Three people sustained severe injuries and were rushed to a Hospital in Middelburg.
This kind of crashes are serious hence the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga, Vusi Shongwe calls on traffic officers to focus more on moving violations such as barrier line overtaking and speeding.
MEC Shongwe said that it is very sad that road carnages are affecting the lives of innocent people, insisting that it was about time drivers prioritise road safety especially when transporting people. The MEC said by punishing reckless drivers, government will be sending strong messages to all road users that road safety should not be compromised.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
