2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign launched in Middelburg
The MEC for public works, roads and transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, said these officers would be visible throughout the province to ensure strict adherence to the National Land Transport Act.
“We have directed our law enforcement officers to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards reckless and negligent driving.”
So said the MEC for public works, roads and transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, at the launch of the 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign at the Middelburg Toll Plaza on Thursday, December 5.
This campaign aims to reinforce road safety during the festive season, which tends to be chaotic as many more people are out on the roads, travelling.
During the roadblock, over 1 000 vehicles were stopped and checked and 152 fines were issued for various violations. Two vehicles were issued notices to be discontinued, while nine minibus taxis were impounded for not being roadworthy.
They also tested 20 people with a MorphoTouch device, which scans fingerprints to identify criminal records in the case of wanted suspects.
The campaign included a multidisciplinary law enforcement operation signalling the start of intensified road safety campaigns.
The launch was led by the MEC, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s executive mayor, Cllr Mhlonishwa Masilela, the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, and some South African National Taxi Council representatives.
Throughout the festive season, law enforcement officers will be highly visible on major routes, conducting regular stop-and-search operations on public transport operators to ensure compliance with road safety regulations and to assess vehicle roadworthiness.
Speaking at the event, Thomo emphasised the department’s commitment to reducing road accidents and saving lives.
“We have directed our law enforcement officers to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards reckless and negligent driving. This festive season, officers will be visible throughout the province to ensure strict adherence to the National Land Transport Act and road safety regulations. Motorists who fail to comply will face the full might of the law,” he said.
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Macie said the province will ensure police visibility, especially on the priority routes that record a high number of crashes, such as the N4, N12, N17, R23, R40, N2 and R573.
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He said an agreement was made with some municipalities during his MuniMec meeting that they will work closely with the provincial traffic officers and police to ensure a safer festive season and beyond.
As part of the launch, Macie and Thomo unveiled 34 new vehicles designated for the traffic law enforcement unit.
