Five fatal accidents occurred on Ekurhuleni roads over the Easter weekend, while 25 drunk drivers were among the 62 arrests made by Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) over this weekend.
Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, metro police spokesperson, said the EMPD aimed at drastically reducing the number of fatalities as well as the number crashes.
“Actions taken were joint operations in conjunction with the Gauteng Traffic Police and police. On the freeways and at other hotspots law enforcers mounted both static and roving roadblocks, as well as sporadic roadside checks,” Kgasago said.
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Due to these efforts, 62 arrests were made. Twenty-five drunk drivers were nabbed on the N12 at the Putfontein turn-off, 29 speedsters were apprehended on the R21, N17 and N12 freeways, and four drug peddlers ended up behind bars – one in Benoni, one in Springs and two in Dawn Park.
Over and above this, three suspects were taken in for possession of elephant tusks valued at R300 000 in Dawn Park, one was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle in Tembisa and one for attempted hijacking, assault and robbery in Primrose.
Kgasago said over 2 400 citations were issued for documentation, equipment and moving violations, which included the use of a cellphone without a hands-free kit.
Unfortunately, five fatalities were recorded, which included two pedestrians, a 25-year-old old male ran over on the N12 East between the Comaro turn-off and Reading interchange, and a 25-year-old female killed on the R21 at the Atlas Road exit.
An 18-year-old male driver died when he lost control of his VW sedan at the intersection of Leeuwpoort and Dagama streets in Boksburg, and another male driver was killed when his vehicle hit a tree at the corner of Ermelo and Clydesdale roads in Springs.
