The Gauteng Traffic Police urged motorists to make road safety a priority this festive season.

This call followed several accidents reported during the first week of December.

Traffic volumes were expected to increase on major roads as more people were expected to travel to various destinations to spend time with their families this weekend.

Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said they would embark on various law enforcement operations in the province.

ALSO READ: Metro cops launch festive season road safety campaign

He said they would focus on pedestrians, drunken driving, visible patrolling, K78 roadblocks, driver and vehicle fitness operations, speed law enforcement operations, reckless and negligent driving and incident management.

Maremane said the traffic police would also, through its road safety unit, undertake several road safety awareness campaigns.

“These activities are aimed at changing road users’ attitude and behaviour.”

As part of enhancing road safety in the province, the Gauteng Traffic Police would be out in full force using their recently purchased high-performance vehicles fitted with cutting-edge crime-fighting technology.

“We will also patrol freeways as part of visible policing to ensure there is no jay-walking and that drivers adhere to prescribed speed limits.

“Pedestrians are the most vulnerable with about over 40% of road fatalities emanating from this group. Taverns, shebeens and other liquor selling places will also be monitored closely to ensure that drunk drivers are removed from our public roads,” said Sello Maremane.

“There will be no room for lawlessness,” he said.