The end of year festive season is marked by high traffic volumes along arterial routes. These traffic volumes coincide with the year-end school and industry closure periods as well as the Christmas and New Year long weekends
The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) will significantly step up road safety operations during the 2013 festive season as informed by statistical information in order to reduce fatalities on our roads.
Metro police officers will be taking a zero tolerance approach with regard to drunken driving and reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and revellers bent on causing mayhem by way of visible and proactive enforcement throughout the festive period.
Chief of Police, Hlula Msimang says road safety is the responsibility of all road users.
“Motorists are implored to ensure that their vehicles are fit to be on the road and that they possess valid documentation.
“Cyclists are encouraged to wear safety headgear and pedestrians are advised to desist from jay-walking and using the freeways and to wear visible clothing at night,” he says.
The EMPD commits to making the city safer for all its citizens and those visiting by intensifying visibility patrols, targeting both crime and accident hotspots as well as all places vulnerable to criminality.
Members of the community are urged to report criminal activities taking place or activities they suspect are about to take place – citizens partnership with the EMPD will eventually bring to fruition the efforts intended to render a dent to criminality and to greatly reduce fatalities on the roads.
“I would like to wish the Ekurhuleni community a peaceful and safe festive season and implore drivers to be considerate at all times and to act in a responsible manner on our roads,” adds Msimang.
“Let us obey the rules of the road to the letter so as to arrive comfortably and safely at our destinations. Let us ensure that safety belts are used and that children are also properly restrained during the road trips.
“Motorists are urged to plan thoroughly for the journeys they will be undertaking to identify safe stops in order to avert the dangerous element of fatigue,” concludes Msimang.
