Motorists warned: Gauteng Traffic Police to be on high alert this long weekend

The Gauteng Traffic Police urge road users to exercise care and caution ahead of the Heritage Day long weekend.

Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, Sello Maremane said many road users and holidaymakers are expected to travel to various destinations to spend time with their families and friends during this period.

Major roads leading to and from the Gauteng province are expected to be heavily congested starting on Thursday, September 23 and again on Sunday, September 26.”

The following freeways and routes are expected to be busy this long weekend:

• The N3 Johannesburg to Durban
• The N12 Johannesburg to Potchefstroom
• The N1 Pretoria to Polokwane
• The N4 Pretoria to Rustenburg
• The N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga

Maremane said last year’s statistics from September 22 to September 28 showed that 49 people lost their lives on Gauteng roads.

These statistics are highly regrettable and therefore a stark reminder that road users must obey the rules and regulations of the road to save lives. Many road fatalities were as a result of unsafe overtaking, over-speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and general disregard of the rules of the road or road traffic signs, amongst others. Road safety is the responsibility of every road user,” added Maremane.

The following road safety tips are thus offered to road users:

• Before undertaking any trip, motorists should conduct a pre-trip inspection on their vehicle to ensure that it is roadworthy.
• Drivers should at all times adhere to the rules and regulations of the road.
• Passengers must refuse to travel in any vehicle that is visibly unroadworthy.
• Motorcyclists must refrain from overtaking any vehicle where it might be potentially dangerous to do so.
• Pedestrians must never use the roads while intoxicated and they should wear visible clothing at night as they remain vulnerable, especially on freeways.
• Motorists should be on the lookout for people putting spikes or other objects on the road with the intention of robbing them.

“We urge all categories of road users – drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians – to remain vigilant at all times when using our roads during this period.

The Gauteng Traffic Police will be on high alert in order to save the lives of road users and will lead a series of road safety activations and operations in various crime hotspots as part of the Road Safety programme,” Maremane concluded.