The Gauteng Traffic Police has called upon motorists to adhere to road safety rules and regulations during, but even beyond Transport Month.
Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, said The Gauteng Traffic Police carried out various law-enforcement operations under the theme ‘Together shaping the future of Transport’ throughout the province to enhance road safety and ensure compliance by all road users.
“The exercise included traffic monitoring, vehicle inspections, issuing fines for traffic offences, and crime-prevention initiatives at the roadblocks.
“Various road safety education campaigns were also conducted by the officers in various corridors to discourage unsafe road user behaviour,” Maremane said.
He added that the following statistics were recorded by Gauteng Traffic Police from the period from 1 October to 28 October 2020: 29 000 vehicles were stopped and inspected for roadworthiness; 80 were discontinued from operating on Gauteng roads due to unroadworthy conditions; 14 338 drivers were charged for committing various road traffic offences; 17 public transport vehicles were impounded for operating without operating licences; 82 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicating alcohol; 37 drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving as well as excessive speeding; 19 900 vehicles were weighed for overloading, of which 1140 were charged for overloading and three drivers arrested for overloading; 10 stolen vehicles were recovered; and 18 suspects were arrested for various crimes including being in possession of illegal firearms, drug dealings and theft of motor vehicles amongst others.
“Gauteng Traffic Police has noted the importance of road users continuing to exercise caution during this period. Road safety must always be at the top of road users’ priorities. Drivers should always consider the threats posed by non-compliance to the rules and regulations of the road,” said Maremane.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue conducting road safety activations including roadblocks focusing on unroadworthy vehicles, drunk drivers during Transport month and beyond as these are some of the major contributing factors towards road fatalities,” Maremane concluded.
