POLOKWANE – Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) says the drive is to ensure that public transport vehicles are fit and worthy to be on the roads.

He says traffic officers will go out this week to ensure public transport vehicles with major defects are removed from the road.

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“Minibus vehicles and busses account for about 10% of motor vehicles involved in fatal crashes on South Africa’s roads. However, the death toll from these vehicles is often high because of the number of people that they carry,” Zwane explained.

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Traffic officials say they will be adopting a “no – nonsense” approach to traffic law enforcement and public transport vehicles with smooth tyres, faulty lights and wipers will be removed from the roads.

“Drivers without driver’s licences will also be stopped and prevented from proceeding to operate vehicle,” Zwane said.

He goes on to add that a decision was made to clampdown on vehicles without number plates.

A trend has been noticed where number plates are removed from motor vehicles to evade speed detection.

“This is against the National Road Traffic Act, Regulation 35, which requires that number plates be affixed ‘in a manner that is not easily detachable’ and ‘in such a manner that each letter and figure thereon is clearly legible’.”

A festive season road safety law enforcement plan will be launched by the Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi this weekend.

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za