Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has welcomed the R44,000 fine imposed on a Gauteng accountant for speeding.
According to Gauteng Traffic Police, Brain Ely (32) was fined R44,000 by the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court today, 16 November 2011, after he was arrested earlier in the day for travelling at 206km/h in a 120km/h zone on his Kawasaki superbike on the N14 between Muldersdrift and Zwartkops. He was sentenced to a fine of R44,000 or 90 days imprisonment, of which half was suspended for three years.
“We welcome the R44,000 fine imposed by the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on a motorcyclist who was arrested for travelling at 206km/h in Gauteng today, 16 November. We want to repeat our warning that absolutely no mercy will be shown to any road user who disobeys rules of the road, particularly as we head towards the December holidays,” said the Minister.
Over the past year, more than 21,000 drunk drivers were arrested and more than 60,000 un-roadworthy vehicles removed from the country’s roads as part of the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP) and million-a-month vehicle check announced by Minister Ndebele on 10 September 2010.
From October 2010 to October 2011, 15,051,565 vehicles and drivers were checked, 6,287,308 fines issued for various traffic offences, 21,575 drunk drivers arrested and 60,313 un-roadworthy vehicles (the majority of which are buses and taxis) discontinued from use.
Last month alone (October Transport Month), 1,034,375 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 308,327 fines issued for various traffic offences, 6,972 vehicles discontinued from use and 8,263 drivers arrested including drinking and driving (1,795), reckless and/or negligent driving (131), excessive speed (151), warrants of arrest (5,506), public transport permits (210) and other arrests (470).
Meanwhile, Minister Ndebele has called on all South Africans to observe Friday, 18 November as National Day of Prayer for Road Safety.
The National Road Safety Prayer Day will be held at Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training College in Tshwane, Gauteng and forms part of commemorations for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on 20 November, to mourn the nearly 1.3 million people who lost their lives and the millions of others who were injured on the world’s roads this year.
The 2011 theme is “From Global Remembrance to Global Action across the Decade” Let’s make 2011-2020 a Decade to remember!
“It is the living who close the eyes of the dead, but it is the dead who must open the eyes of the living. During this Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, every citizen must become part of the global movement to create a safer road environment for all our people. We are calling upon all South Africans to join us in observing National Road Safety Prayer Day and World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Friday, 18 November, to pray for safety on our roads,” Minister Ndebele said.Media are invited to cover the National Day of Prayer for Road Safety as well as the national launch of the Festive Season (December holidays) Road Safety Campaign. Journalists must confirm attendance with Luthando Ngilana on 071 680 3445 / Luthandon@rtmc.co.za.
Details of the event:
Date: Friday, 18 November 2011
Venue: Boekenhoutskloof Traffic Training College, Tshwane West
Time: 8am
