64 reckless drivers arrested in one weekend
To those who will be driving, don’t drink and drive, buckle up, do not speed, do not use your cellphone whilst driving, rest every two hours, respect other road users and be patient whilst on the road.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has lauded traffic officers in the province for the successes made over the weekend between December 8 and 10.
This comes after 64 motorists were arrested for different violations in different operations held throughout the province, 39 were arrested for drunken driving and 23 for over speeding.
The highest speed was recorded Saturday on the N3 Road when Maxwell Mazibuko drove 176 km/h on a 120 km/h zone. He was granted a R1500 bail and will appear again at the Balfour Magistrate Court on December 20
On Friday Makhosonke Zungu was arrested on the N4 Road driving 172 km/h on a 120 km/h zone. He was granted R500 bail.
He appeared in the he Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today.
Joseph Mabuza, spokesperson for the department added that 2 891 fines were also issued during the weekend.
“Fines were issued to drivers for reckless and negligent driving, failing to produce driving license and other appropriate driving documents, overloading, using cellphone whilst driving and driving vehicles with defects such as cracked windscreen, malfunctioning indicator lights, worn out tyres and invisible number plates,” he said.
Also read: FIVE ARRESTED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING IN MBOMBELA
“A total 77 of the fines were issued to motorists who overtook on barrier line,” he added.
Traffic officers also discontinued 21 vehicles for not being roadworthy.
Ngomane says it high time that bad drivers get the harsh punishment they deserve for their reckless behavior on the road. He says that drunken driving, speed and dangerous overtaking were among the factors that contributed massively to road crashes.
He acclaims the officers saying their continued hard work and dedication will assist to bring errant drivers to book thereby saving lives. He encourages them to carry on with the same vigor in order to impact positively on government’s road safety initiatives especially this festive season.
“This should be the order of the day and motorists must not escape the law if they fail to obey the rules of the road. We must create an environment where motorist will fear to commit offences; in this way, we will have fewer crashes on our roads caused by human error,” he said.
Ngomane also pleads with municipalities and other security agencies to work together with the department in order to reduce road crashes and instill the law to those who break it.
He once more reiterates his call to road users to respect traffic rules. He says that communities must also play their part by reporting bad driving to authorities so that action is taken against wrong doers.
