Owners and drivers of public transport, taxi and bus operators in particular, have been warned against continued ferrying of passengers on unroadworthy vehicles and or without the necessary permits.
Already 65 taxis were impounded today at the Bree Street taxi rank. Another 14 taxi drivers were arrested for reckless and negligence by Gauteng Traffic Police High Speed unit in Pretoria. Law enforcement operation will be intensified especially during October month, a month dedicated to promoting usage of reliable, safe and affordable public transport.
These joint law enforcement operations are carried out jointly with law enforcement agents from local municipality traffic officials, law enforcement agents from metropolitan councils, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and are spearheaded by Gauteng Traffic Police of the Department of Community Safety.
The law enforcement operations are carried out under the theme ‘Safety on public transport state of readiness for 2010’. It is also aimed to encourage taxi and bus operators to submit their vehicles for voluntary free testing which will be conducted at various testing stations, including at the Langlaagte, Vereeniging, Temba, Mabopane, Watloo, Kungwini and Benoni testing stations respectively.
Guided also by the Gauteng road safety strategy, these law enforcement operations are not restricted only to taxis and buses. Other modes of transport, including learner transport, trucks, metered taxis, shuttle buses and luxury coach buses will be targeted.
Commenting on these operations, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Mr Khabisi Mosunkutu encouraged owners and drivers of vehicles “to spare a thought for the victims of road accidents which results in serious trauma and other negative financial implications not only for those closest and dearest to the victims, but also to society at large. I am making this appeal to vehicle owners and drivers aware of the fact that unsafe and or illegal driver behaviour accounts for almost 95 percent of all road accidents and fatalities”.
Media contact person:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: 011 689 3633
Cell: 071 851 2369
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 October 2009
Source: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautsafety.gpg.gov.za/)
