Motorists urged to exercise caution on roads over long weekend
GAUTENG. – The Gauteng Traffic Police have given out a strong message to motorists, urging them to exercise caution on the roads over the long weekend. This is after 49 people lost their lives on Gauteng roads between the 22 September and 28 September 2020.
Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane says, “These statistics are highly regrettable and therefore a stark reminder that road users must obey the rules and regulations of the road to save lives. Many road fatalities were as a result of unsafe overtaking, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and general disregard of the rules of the road or road traffic sign amongst others.”
Maremane states that Road Safety is the responsibility of every road user.
“Many road users and holiday makers are expected to travel to various destinations to spend time with their families and friends during this period. “Major roads exiting and leading to Gauteng province are expected to be heavily congested starting from Thursday, 23rd and again on Sunday, 26th September 2021.
”We urge all categories of road users, namely, drivers, passengers, motor cyclist, cyclists and pedestrians to remain vigilant at all times when using our roads during this period.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police will be on high alert during this period in order to save the lives of road users and will lead a series of road safety activations and operations in various crime hotspots.”
The following freeways and routes are expected to be busy this long weekend
- The N3 Johannesburg to Durban
- The N12 Johannesburg to Potchefstroom
- The N1 Pretoria to Polokwane
- The N4 Pretoria to Rustenburg
- The N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga
Road users are urged to make use o the following road safety tips
- Before undertaking any trip, motorists should conduct a pre-trip inspection on their vehicle to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.
- Drivers should at all times adhere to the rules and regulations of the road.
- Passengers must refuse to travel in any vehicle which is visibly unroadworthy.
- Motor cyclists must refrain from overtaking any vehicle where it might be potentially dangerous to do so.
- Pedestrians must never use our roads while intoxicated and they should wear visible clothing at night as they remain vulnerable especially on our freeways.
- Motorists should be on the lookout for people putting spikes or other objects on the road with the intention of robbing them.
