Pedestrians on highways in hot water
“Illegal road crossing puts the lives of pedestrians and motorists in danger.”
The EMPD arrested 20 pedestrians as part of its efforts to curb rising fatalities on the CoE’s highways on January 15.
EMPD Overloads Unit officers concentrated the monthly operation on the N12, between the Snake and Kingsway roads off-ramps, focusing on pedestrians unlawfully and dangerously crossing highways instead of using pedestrian bridges.
The offenders were detained at the Benoni Police Station on charges of contravening Regulation 323(1)(a) of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA), which prohibits pedestrians from being on freeways.
Additional charges were brought against six, in line with Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002), being in the country illegally.
“Crossing the freeway poses a serious danger to pedestrians and motorists, which could result in severe or fatal accidents,” said EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa
“We urge pedestrians to prioritise their safety by using pedestrian bridges when crossing major roads.”
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