Gauteng traffic cops to target highways, hotspots as more holiday-goers return
This follows several traffic-related incidents in Tshwane recently, including one in which a BMW smashed into a group of nine pedestrians, killing three children in the process.
The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) said it would increase its presence along major routes and freeways in the province as the festive season draws to a close.
This follows several traffic-related incidents in Tshwane recently, including one in which a BMW smashed into a group of nine pedestrians killing three children in the process.
In another incident, a woman was arrested for driving 220km/h in a 120km zone.
“The deployment aims to reduce road traffic crashes leading to fatalities, promotion of road safety and crime prevention in general,” said provincial traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane.
The deployment will target identified freeways and hotspots in the province as Pretoria fell victim to several incidents of reckless and negligent driving during the festive season.
Three children lost their lives in Salvokop following reckless and negligent behaviour by a BMW driver who was said to have been spinning the car.
Police are searching for the driver who fled the scene after allegedly causing the accident that left three children dead and four other people injured on Saturday.
According to police, it is alleged that the suspect was driving his brother’s BMW at a high speed when he hit seven pedestrians.
Emergency services Emer-G-Med said the two female minors were twins, aged four. The third was also a four-year-old little girl.
Four adults suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
In another incident, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a VW Polo on the R101 near Hammanskraal on Saturday.
The Temba police report suggested that an unknown man walked into the road without checking for oncoming vehicles.
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide and are investigating.
Also in another incident, a 36-year-old female driver was arrested by GTP for reckless driving on Friday night at Bronkhorstspruit.
She was found excessively speeding in a red VW Golf 7 at 220km/h in a 120km zone along the N4 East freeway, according to Maremane.
He said their high-speed unit had been successful in clamping down on speedsters due to the use of the latest technological devices such as moving violation recorders (MVR).
“The MVR records the average speed measured over a minimum of 500 metres. The event is recorded and downloaded for investigation and prosecution purposes,” Maremane said.
Preliminary statistics showed that Gauteng had recorded over 200 road traffic fatalities since the beginning of the festive season period with pedestrians accounting for almost 50% of the fatalities.
“It is concerning that pedestrians continue to make up a high number of road fatalities.”
Maremane attributed this high mortality rate to not wearing reflective gear at night, violation of traffic signals, distracted walking, distracted driving, using public roads whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs and jaywalking among others.
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