Traffic officials have been hard at work, impounding at least 450 unroadworthy vehicles in Mpumalanga between December 9 and 15. Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe applauded their efforts.
Vehicles taken off the roads include busses, mini-busses, trailers, light delivery vehicles and heavy motor vehicles.
Shongwe says the increasing number of unroadworthy vehicles on roads remain a challenge as vehicles like these have contributed to fatal crashes in the province.
“We expect an increase of such vehicles towards Christmas, but I want to warn motorists that law enforcement officers will not turn a blind eye on any mischief during these holidays. We will ensure that all vehicles which are not supposed to be on the road are removed in order to save lives,” Shongwe said.
He is also concerned about overloaded vehicles as they endanger the lives of other road users and has called on law enforcement officers to stop overloaded vehicles, impounding and discontinuing them if needs be.
Besides the impounded vehicles, 262 motorists were issued with notices to discontinue their vehicles, while 8 755 fines were issued for different violations. Eighteen people were also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, reckless and negligent driving as well as overloading.
According to Shongwe, traffic officers will be deployed on all major roads 24 hours a day throughout the Festive Season to enforce traffic law and ensure that motorists arrive safely at their holiday destinations.
The MEC also announced that the department, in collaboration with SAPS and other stakeholders, will conduct rest stops, awareness campaigns and roadblocks to enhance road safety and enforce the law as part of the Sekwanele Bopha Festive Season Programme.
Shongwe urges all motorists to drive with due consideration to all traffic regulations in order to curb unnecessary loss of lives and injuries on the road.
