Almost four (4) million vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked, and
more than 1,5 million fines issued for various traffic offences across South Africa
since 1 October 2010. More than 20 000 un-roadworthy vehicles, including several
buses and mini-bus taxis, were discontinued from use.
The million-a-month vehicle target as of October 2010, announced by Transport
Minister Sibusiso Ndebele as part of South Africa's "Make Roads Safe" campaign and
new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), has been significantly exceeded every
month.
“During this holiday period, road users will encounter visible and proactive
traffic law enforcement on major national routes as well as various urban and rural
locations. Dedicated enforcement operations targeting public transport vehicles
such as buses and mini-bus taxis have also been intensified. These include special
blitzes at depots and ranks to ensure vehicle and driver fitness even before buses
and taxis depart for their destinations. We want to repeat that absolutely no mercy
will be shown to traffic offenders as we head towards 2011. South Africa’s ‘Make
Roads Safe’ campaign is leading up to the United Nations Decade of Action for Road
Safety from 2011 to 2020, with the key aim of drastically reducing road deaths
around the world,” said Minister Ndebele.
From 1 to 20 December 2010, close to one million vehicles and drivers were stopped
and checked and thousands of fines issued for various traffic offences. More than 1
500 drunk drivers were arrested. Other arrests related to stolen vehicles,
unlicensed firearms, possession of dagga, overloaded taxis and buses, taxis and
buses without the necessary permits as well as excessive speed.
Last night 20 December 2010, a motorist was arrested for travelling at 210 km/h
in a 120 km/h zone in a Mercedes Benz near Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal South
Coast. The driver was arrested and granted R5 000 bail. He appeared in the
Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court today 21 December 2010, where his case was remanded until 11 January 2011.
In KwaZulu-Natal from 1 to 19 December 2010, 168 693 vehicles and drivers were
stopped and checked; 26 511 fines issued; 663 vehicles discontinued from use; 214
drunk drivers arrested; 29 arrests for excessive speed; 1 643 fines for seat belts;
1 235 fines for unlicensed vehicles and 48 fines for inconsiderate driving.
In the Eastern Cape, traffic officials have arrested an average of seven drunk
drivers every day since 1 December 2010; 61,136 vehicles and drivers were stopped
and checked; 18 109 fines issued; 589 vehicles impounded (including 36 buses and
219 mini-buses) and 740 people arrested, including 140 for drunk driving, 44 for
overloading and 29 for speeding.
In Gauteng, three motorists were arrested for excessive speed on December 17. Two
men, 28-years-old and 42-years-old, were caught doing 183 km/h and 197 km/h on
Valtakie and Bronkhorstspruit off-ramps driving a Ford Focus and an Audi Q7. Both
men were released on R500 bail. A third man, driving a Volkswagen Scirocco, was
arrested on the N4 West next to Rosslyn off-ramp after being clocked doing 187 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. He was released on R1000 bail. Several other arrests were
recorded in Gauteng, including 68 arrests for drinking and driving on 17 December
in Sandton, Soweto and Sebokeng.
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.
Road users are advised to heed the following road safety tips:
- Obey all road rules
- Ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators,windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering,shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults
- Do not overload
- Take safety breaks every two hours or 200km and continue once well rested
- Do not drink and drive
- Try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them
- Be visible – drive with your lights on
- Always wear your seat belt and ensure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing theirs
- Stay within the speed limit at all times
- Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so
- Maintain at least a two second following distance - this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet
- Avoid distractions on the road such as texting and conversations on cell phones
- Be courteous towards fellow road users
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell:083 6444 050
