Fewer drunken drivers, 8 compared to 62 last year were arrested and less deaths occurred on public roads during the annual 60’s music bash held outside Mahikeng over the past weekend.
North West MEC for Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison, Desbo Mohono ascribes the reduction to the successful execution of zero tolerance law enforcement and motorists who heeded the call to use designated drivers during the bash.
There were less incidents of lawlessness. Even tickets issued by law enforcement officers to motorists were fewer, i.e. 156 as compared to last year’s 199 during the 60’s weekend. The number of vehicles that were stopped and searched by police and traffic officers at roving adblocks were fewer by over a thousand and two hundred.
One hundred and fifty eight motorists were issued with tickets for various offences that include driving without license (48), speeding (40) driving unregistered and unlicensed vehicles (28), overloading (16) worn out tyres (17), driving without public road driving permit (11), reckless driving (1)
Five accidents were recorded. Three of the accidents in which two people died occurred on the R503 Mahikeng-Lichtenburg road. Road construction is alleged to have contributed towards these accidents. Another head on collision, the fifth in the past week occurred in Magogoe on the N18 Mahikeng-Vryburg road on Saturday morning. Though no lives were lost in the accident, twopeople were slightly injured.
“Speeding and fatigue have cost us unnecessary loss of lives in head on collisions in the past week. Although the department has intensified its road safety promotion and education campaign as part of Make Roads Safe/Festive Arrive Alive Campaign, road safety is everybody’s responsibility. We call on all road users to share the road responsibly throughout the festive season, ” emphasised MEC Mohono.
As part of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, speed operations and zero tolerance law enforcement are to be intensified particularly as traffic volumes are expected to pick up as from Friday as schools close and motorists begin their travelling for the December vacation andfestive holidays.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
