Harsh seat belt warning “unofficial” says JMPD
… but, "all drivers are still bound to obey the law".
The harsh message warning motorists and their passengers about the consequences of not wearing a seat belt and a no-nonsense policy from police is not official, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) confirmed on Tuesday, 26 November.
Various messages are making the rounds on social networks reading: “To all drivers. Anyone caught driving without seatbelts, being it passengers, kids, front or back seat, will get arrested as from today until the 15th Jan 2014. No fines, no warnings, they arrest on the spot. Send warning to as many as possible”.
JMPD spokesperson Edna Mamonyane made it clear that, “We (JMPD) issued no such warning, as the Department of Transport would have hold a press conference to properly inform and communicate with the public. If they (Department of Transport) have taken such a resolution (the message above) there will be an announcement, but nothing is official. Only then all motorists will have to follow suit.”
Commenting on the message sent out Mamonyane said, “We are aware of the message making the rounds and people are talking about it, but I can’t confirm if this is a hoax or real. We have sent out messages in the past, but we didn’t send this one and we are investigating.
“We are bound to the law as human beings to put on a seat belt and take responsibility when getting behind the wheel.
“Every single driver has to ensure that he/ she is buckled up as well as their passengers, be it in the front seat or back seat. Should an accident occur and something happens to a passenger, we as the JMPD will ask the driver if the persons travelling with him or her were buckled up or not. The driver can then be held liable.”
Mamonyane also mentioned that, “Normally, should you/ your passengers be caught without a seat belt, only a fine will be issued”.
National spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Sam Monareng could not be reached for comment at the time.
