Gauteng Traffic Police have appealed to motorists to exercise care after a VW Golf 8 driver was caught clocking a staggering 238 Km/h along the N14 on Thursday night. Image: iStock
Gauteng Traffic Police have appealed to motorists to exercise care after a speedster in a white Volkswagen (VW) Golf 8 was caught clocking a dizzying 238km per hour along the N14 on Thursday night.
The speedster, facing charges relating to reckless and negligent driving with an alternative charge of exceeding the prescribed speed limit of 120km per hour, has been detained at Wierdabrug Police Station in Pretoria.
Gauteng traffic police have expressed concern following a high number of fatal crashes reported this festive season.
Death toll
Gauteng has experienced a high number of fatalities since the start of the heighted festive season period and most fatalities recorded have been pedestrians with over 80 lives lost on the province’s roads so far.
Among some of the fatal accidents that occurred include that of a bakkie that crashed after towing an overloaded trailer on Thursday morning, along the N14 towards Tshwane, resulting in three people losing their lives and 14 sustaining injuries.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police would like to urge motorists to exercise caution following a high number of fatal crashes reported this festive season,” Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said on Thursday.
He said the Gauteng Traffic Police will continue to intensify law enforcement operations in an effort to reduce road crashes leading to fatalities.
High traffic volumes
The law enforcement authorities, Maremane said, will not hesitate to act decisively against drivers who disregard the rules and regulations of the road and endanger the lives of road users during this festive season.
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Traffic volumes are expected to increase on Gauteng major roads as many road users are expected to travel from Gauteng to various destinations to spend time with their families ahead of the Christmas weekend.
Out and about
Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela was out and about today, leading the department’s annual Festive Season Road Safety operations focusing specifically on public transport operators.
The department said the festive season is characterised by high levels of road traffic volumes which require levels of vigilance from road users – drivers and pedestrians alike.
The operations, which will include traffic law enforcement, wreath-laying, road safety awareness and education activities, are conducted at the N1 Petroport in the City of Tshwane.
The operations will also include vehicle roadworthiness and compliance checks amongst other activities.
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