Reckless driving and alcohol limit: Gauteng Traffic Police warns motorists

The Gauteng Traffic Police calls upon road users to be vigilant and practice responsible road usage.

According to spokesperson Sello Maremane, the government has declared October as Public Transport Month to encourage safe transport usage, consequently, they are encouraging road users to always practice safe road usage.

He said commuters travel daily using various transport modes such as busses, mini busses and private vehicles to get to a common destination.

“It is therefore important to remind road users that the contributory factors to some road crashes in our province include alcohol abuse, excessive speeding, reckless and negligent driving, unroadworthy vehicles and general disregard of road traffic rules among others. Pedestrian jaywalking also poses a challenge as many of our pedestrians cross the roads unsafely so.”

Road users are reminded of the following:

• The legal alcohol limit in any person’s specimen remains 0,05 grams per 100 millilitres and in the case of a professional driver is 0,02 grams per 100 millilitres such as a taxi or truck driver.

• Excessive speeding may lead to reckless and negligent driving charges where a person may be convicted to direct imprisonment without the option of a fine.

• An unroadworthy vehicle may lead to a crash where a person could lose their life.

• Road users are encouraged to always comply with the rules of the road.

• Pedestrians should avoid jaywalking at all times as well.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police will conduct several operations to complement Public Transport Month such as drunken driving operations, road safety awareness campaigns at malls and other public areas, driver and vehicle fitness roadside inspections, stop and searches and high visibility patrols. Our message during this month is responsible road usage will always preserve life to create a safer province for all of us.”