The “Make Roads Safe” campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) has resulted in a record 4,929,095 vehicles and drivers being checked, and more than 2 million fines issued for various traffic offences from 1 October 2010 to 17 January 2011. More than 7 000 drivers have been arrested for drinking and driving, reckless and negligent driving and speeding. More than 26 000 vehicles, including thousands of buses and midi/mini-buses, have been discontinued from use.
Sentences imposed by the courts included hefty fines or imprisonment as well as the suspension of driving licences. These motorists now also have criminal records.
As of last week (10 January 2011), the focus of the NREP has been on scholar transport with intensified efforts to identify unlawful, unregistered and unroadworthy scholar transport vehicles, aimed at ensuring safety of learners during the school year.
Yesterday (17 January 2011), 23 vehicles including 12 buses, 10 minibus-taxis and one truck were taken off the road in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, in a joint operation between KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape traffic authorities. One stolen vehicle was also recovered. Over 22 Traffic Officers from both provinces descended on Mt. Frere, along the N2 corridor.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 20 buses belonging to Mkhuze Bus Services were pulled off the road.
During 15 and 16 January 2011, Joburg Metro Police arrested 18 drivers for speeding on the M1 North at the Corlett Drive off-ramp between 8pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. The drivers have been released on bail of R1 500 each and were expected to appear in court this week.
Last Thursday (13 January 2011), Gauteng Traffic Police impounded 28 vehicles ferrying school children in Laudium, Tshwane.
Other provinces are also conducting similar operations in line with the new NREP.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has urged parents to ensure the safety of their children. “We call upon parents to take the responsibility of ensuring that the transport their children use to school is safe and lawful. This year (2011) marks the start of the United Nations Decade of Action against Road Deaths from 2011 to 2020. Government is going all out to ensure safer roads in South Africa - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Any person who commits any traffic offence will face the consequences of their actions. We must fail to kill and maim healthy individuals in their thousands whom we condemn to wheelchairs every day, every month, every year. Let us all take an active part in this Decade of Action for Road Safety,” said Minister Ndebele.
During December 2010, 852 road blocks were held country-wide resulting in 1 608 548 vehicles and drivers checked, 553 189 fines issued, 9 182 drivers arrested of which 415 were for excessive speed, 100 for reckless driving and 3 332 for drunk driving and 5 822 vehicles discontinued from use.
During November 2010, 1 493 574 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 684 739 fines issued and 10 282 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (220 226) were stopped in KwaZulu-Natal.
During October 2010, 1 385 521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 408 650 fines issued and 4 481 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (276 579) were stopped in Gauteng. There were 2 256 drunk driving arrests, of which 930 were in the Western Cape.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
