Speed freaks breaking records on Vryheid’s roads are jailed by RTI
'You cannot drive recklessly in that area. You are endangering your life and the lives of others.'
A speedophiliac spent three nights behind bars at the Vryheid police holding cells after he was caught doing 232km/h while exiting Vryheid on the Melmoth Road.
Acting chief inspector for the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Nkanyiso Ndlazi, claimed that 232km/h was a record speed for Vryheid’s roads, saying he cannot recall having recorded a higher speed in the area during his many years as a traffic official.
The fast and furious driver was caught in a BMW bearing ND license plates in which he had been transporting two elderly passengers, according to Mr Ndlazi.
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He appeared at the Vryheid Magistrates Court on March 6 and was granted R3 000 bail. However, Mr Ndlazi hopes the court will impose a fine of R12 000 to deter the motorist from driving recklessly in the future.
“We caught another driver in the same spot later that day driving at 193km/h. They assume that, when they are using a rural road over the weekend, they have the whole road to themselves… But there are slow moving trucks, the roads are riddled with potholes, there is livestock roaming there, and there are also children who walk along that road. You cannot drive recklessly in that area. You are endangering your life and the lives of others,” continued Mr Ndlazi.
“I would like to use this opportunity to warn motorists. We are setting up speed traps on a daily basis. Your co-operation with the traffic laws is important. If you do not co-operate, you will be locked up.”
Mr Ndlazi praised Provincial Officer, TA Khoza, who caught both the speeding motorists mentioned above, for his good work.
“Officer Khoza has arrested the highest number of people for traffic violations. He is extremely hard-working and is always looking for different places to monitor, places where we don’t normally stand,” said Mr Ndlazi.
As a result of the positive impact that RTI has had on the roads, the local unit is being granted a high performance vehicle, which will enable them to engage in high-speed chases.
“A Golf 7 will be delivered to us soon, which shows that, if you do well, it is recognized by the Province,” concluded Mr Ndlazi.
