Motorists urged to adhere to road safety regulations

Transport Month, which is observed every October, is said to be commemorated under the theme Together Shaping the Future of Transport.

The authorities reportedly embarked on various operations throughout the province to enforce road safety and ensure compliance by all road users recently.

According to Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, the operation included traffic monitoring, vehicle inspections, traffic fine offences and crime-prevention initiatives during roadblocks.

“Various road safety education campaigns were also conducted by the officers in various corridors to discourage unsafe road-user behaviour. Gauteng Traffic Police noted the importance of road users continuing to exercise caution during this period,” said Maremane.

The Gauteng Traffic Police also shared statistics which were recorded from October 1 until 28:

• Twenty-nine thousand vehicles were stopped and inspected for roadworthiness, 80 were discontinued from operating on Gauteng roads due to unroadworthy conditions.

• Fourteen thousand three hundred and thirty-eight drivers were charged for committing various road traffic offences.

• Seventeen public transport vehicles were impounded for operating without operating licences.

• Eighty-two drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

• Thirty-seven drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving and excessive speeding.

• Nineteen thousand nine hundred vehicles were weighed for overloading, of which 1 140 were charged for overloading and three drivers were arrested for overloading.

• Ten stolen vehicles were recovered.

• Eighteen suspects were arrested for various crimes, including being in possession of illegal firearms, drug dealings and theft of vehicles.

Maremane said these stats revealed a disregard for the rules of the road, especially on weekends, which often results in many fatalities.

“Road safety must always be road users’ priority. Drivers should always consider the threats posed by non-compliance to the rules and regulations of the road. The authorities have also noted that road crashes, especially on weekends, continue persistently and pose a major challenge,” he said.

He started speeding, jaywalking, reckless driving, use of cellphones and driving under the influence of alcohol are common factors that contribute to these fatal crashes.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue conducting road safety activations, including roadblocks. These will focus on unroadworthy vehicles and drunk drivers as these are some of the major contributing factors toward road fatalities,” he said.