MBOMBELA- Mpumalanga traffic authorities have in one week arrested 70 drivers for failing to pay their traffic violation fines and two for overloading.

These arrests were made on regular law enforcement operations between 09 and 15 June 2014 conducted throughout the province.

Among others, the drivers were arrested for outstanding fines that included speeding, driving un-roadworthy vehicles, driving without proper documentation and failure to obey traffic rules.

Recently, Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe called on motorists to pay their outstanding fines to avoid being arrested.

“This is an indication that motorists do not respect the work of traffic officers if they fail to pay their fines after they have violated traffic rules.

“We want harsh sentences to be imposed to these people until such time that motorists take responsibility and respect our roads. We can only reduce injuries and deaths resulting from road crashes if motorists change their attitudes towards road safety,” said Shongwe.

During the operations, traffic officers also issued 5 213 fines for different violations including speeding, overloading, driving vehicles with worn out tires and overtaking on barrier line.

One hundred and ninety two un-roadworthy vehicles were also discontinued while 224 were impounded. The discontinued vehicles included 25 cash-in-transit vehicles from four companies. The MEC believes that these are some of the vehicles that contribute to road crashes.

“Removal of these vehicles will improve safety on our roads and this will also go a long way in curbing crashes,” concluded Shongwe