Easter weekend roads update: More than 1 000 arrested, over 900 000 fines issued

More than 1 000 motorists and road users have been arrested since the start of the Easter holidays on March 28.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), more than 900 vehicles have been impounded in law enforcement operations held in all nine provinces.

Traffic Law Enforcement officers, along with Road Safety Management are on the N1 making sure that the #Easter weekend gets off to a safe start.

Please play your part by following the rules of the road. #SafelyHome #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/mNtmYXZyDW

— Road Traffic Management Corporation (@TrafficRTMC) March 29, 2024

“The arrests related to various offences, such as drunken driving, producing false driving documentation, driving recklessly, operating on the roads without driving permits, overloading of both goods and passengers.

The RTMC said high traffic volumes were experienced on both Thursday and Friday from 10:00. The N1 North and N3 South recorded an average of 2 000 vehicles passing through toll gates per hour. The N4 East recorded 1 900, while the N 1 South recorded an average of 1 000 vehicles.

More than 75 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, while more than 916 000 drivers received traffic fines for various infringements.

A major concern seemed to be unroadworthy vehicles.

“Vehicles were impounded mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga for violation of public transport operating permits.”

The RTMC said in a statement the Easter weekend is associated with high traffic volumes, including pilgrimages and holidaymakers taking advantage of public holidays to visit family or go on vacation.

“However, this surge in traffic poses significant road safety challenges, with authorities often warning motorists to exercise caution due to the high volumes of vehicles on the roads.”