Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has called upon road users to exercise extreme caution on the roads due to rainy weather conditions in various parts of the country.
“We urge motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads due to rainy weather conditions and poor visibility in various parts of the country. We call upon drivers to adjust their driving to the prevailing road conditions and reduce speed and increase their following distance, especially during inclement weather and at hazardous locations.
“As we head towards the New Year, traffic law enforcement will be intensified and absolutely no mercy will be shown to traffic offenders. The ‘Make Roads Safe’ Campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan form part of government’s response to curbing the carnage that we see every day on our roads. During this holiday period, law enforcement agencies will focus on responsible road usage through visible and proactive traffic enforcement. The Department of Transport welcomes partnerships with organised labour, business, the religious community, civil society as well as other formations to end the carnage on our roads. In this regard, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) must be commended for their Operation Hlokomela, through which the taxi industry leadership themselves will monitor their drivers and operators to ensure they adhere to road rules. Bad driving, overloading and bad behaviour in the taxi industry may be reported to the Hlokomela Call Centre on 0860 726 822,” Minister Ndebele said
More than three million vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked and more than a million fines issued for various traffic offences across South Africa over the past two months.
These traffic law enforcement operations form part of South Africa's "Make Roads Safe" campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), announced by Minister Ndebele on 10 September 2010. As part of the new NREP, as from 1 October 2010 no less than one million vehicles and drivers will be stopped and checked every month. This is also intended as a pre-festive season traffic enforcement sweep.
Yesterday morning (14 December 2010), Mpumalanga motorist was arrested for travelling at 205km/h on the N4 near Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng. He was driving a black Alfa Romeo near the N4 Bronkhorstspruit Diamond Hill toll plaza and is expected to appear in the local magistrate's court today, 15 December 2010 on a charge of reckless and/or negligent driving.
Since 1 October 2010, several motorists have been arrested for excessive speeds, including six people who appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court in KwaZulu-Natal on 29 November 2010 and were sentenced to fines ranging from R4 000 to R20 000.
On 9 December 2010, Nkosinathi Gumede (51 years), from KwaZulu-Natal, was the first speedster to have his licence suspended after an amendment to the National Road Traffic Act came into force on 20 November 2010. He was caught travelling at 202 kilometres per hour in a 120 kph zone in his Mercedes Benz SLK last month. The Scottburgh Magistrate's Court sentenced him to R20 000 or three years in jail. He further had his licence suspended for three months.
In addition to a fine and/or imprisonment, the national Road Traffic Act places a duty on courts to suspend or disqualify a driving licence for persons found guilty of drinking and driving as well as reckless and negligent driving - in the case of a first offence, for a period of at least six months; a second offence, for a period of at least five years; or a third or subsequent offence, for a period of at least ten years. With effect from 20 November 2010, the act was amended to include speeding, over the prescribed speed by more than 30km/h within an urban area and more than 40km/h outside an urban area, among the criteria for which motorists could have their licences suspended and/or disqualified.
From 1 to 12 December 2010, close to half a million (500 000) vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked and thousands of fines issued for various traffic offences. More than 300 drunk drivers were arrested including 20 in the Western Cape, 93 in Gauteng, 46 in Limpopo, 111 in KwaZulu-Natal, 46 in the Eastern Cape and 7 in the Free State.Other arrests included possession of dagga, overloaded taxis and buses, taxis and buses without the necessary permits as well as excessive speed. In the Free State alone, more than 219 vehicles were discontinued from use for being un-roadworthy.
Since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an average of 2 000 motorists have been arrested every month for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
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
