By Lungile Ntimba
With traffic volumes increasing ahead of the Easter weekend, the Gauteng traffic police has urged all road users, drivers and pedestrians to prioritise safety on the roads.
“Road users are strongly urged to adhere to traffic laws and regulations as law enforcement officers will take a zero-tolerance approach towards lawlessness on Gauteng roads,” traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane said in a statement on Thursday.
According to last year’s road safety report for Easter period, the highest number of driver fatalities in the province was among individuals aged 25–29 and 35–39.
Pedestrian fatalities also remained a concern, especially among those aged 25–34.
The traffic police together with traffic wardens, the SA Police Service, metro police departments, municipal law enforcement agencies and private security companies will monitor major routes and crime hotspots.
These include:
- The N1 freeway Pretoria to Polokwane between the Sefako Makgato and Hammanskraal off ramps.
- R80 Mabopane freeway between the Rosslyn and Soshanguve off ramps.
- The N4 Freeway Pretoria to Mpumalanga between Watermeyer off ramp and Solomon Mahlangu drive.
- N1 South Freedompark to Orange Farm.
- N12 West to Westonaria
- R21 Olifantsfontein to Boksburg
Law enforcement agencies will conduct heightened operations across the province, ensuring public safety and to prevent the loss of life.
“Traffic officers will employ road safety interventions to address over speeding, drinking and driving, reckless and negligent driving, jaywalking, compliance and to encourage overall road safety during the Easter period,” said Maremane.
“Community patrollers will also be deployed to hotspot areas and key public transport nodes to assist the public, including vulnerable groups such as women and children.”
Road users have been encouraged to observe safety tips, including not driving under the influence of alcohol, reporting any reckless behaviour to authorities, ensuring that all passengers are seated and wearing their seatbelts, and postponing travelling during poor weather conditions.
Maremane said they must observe road signals, brake lights and other driver indicators, and risky overtaking.
They were also advised to refrain from overloading passengers or goods as it was illegal.
INSIDE POLITICS
