The Gauteng Traffic Police’s High Speed Unit cautioned motorists against excessive speeding after 23 drivers were arrested on Gauteng roads last week.
In a statement issued by Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, the 23 drivers were arrested for reckless or negligent driving and in most cases, the culprits were found to be under the influence of liquor. The speed at which the drivers were travelling ranged between 149km/h and 217km/h on a prescribed limit of 120km/h.
He said the speedsters were arrested on the spot and detained at various police stations, among them Hammanskraal, Lyttelton and Bronkhorstspruit. They were formally charged with reckless or negligent driving, as well as an alternative charge of exceeding the general speed limit of 120km/h. The suspects appeared in their various magistrates’ courts and were fined an amount of R1 500.
The highest speedster, a 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday afternoon, 30 July on the N1 after being found driving a Mercedes-Benz at 217km/h on a prescribed maximum limit of 120km/h.”
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety cautioned drivers to resist the temptation of excessive speeding since it contributed to many fatal crashes resulting in many deaths on the roads.
“Speeding remains one of the biggest risks to road safety in the province. The conduct of drivers on our roads is not acceptable and this calls for stringent measures to curb this unwarranted behaviour. There is a need to direct our efforts towards road safety education.
The majority of road fatalities are caused by excessive speeding on our roads.
“The department urges all law-enforcement agencies, particularly the Traffic Police to leave no stone unturned in decisively dealing with those who continue to disregard the rules of the roads and conduct themselves with impunity.
“Human factors such as intoxicated driving, reckless or negligent driving, speeding, texting and driving are among the many causes of fatal crashes ultimately resulting in the loss of many lives.
The department will continue to intensify the patrol of freeways, streets and public places in clearly marked vehicles as an available means for the prevention of road traffic violations.”
