Riyaz Patel
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has warned that unlawful road behavior will not be tolerated this festive season, and that reckless and errant motorists will be dealt with decisively.
Speaking at the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) offices in Midrand, Mbalula said traffic law enforcement would be intensified as holidaymakers travel to their various destinations.
The minister was at the RTMC offices to be briefed on the remote technologies used to monitor traffic movements and emergencies.
“Our investment in technology means we are able to spot, notify and respond to emergencies fast – this to keep our roads safe and reliable,” he said.
Mbalula said fatalities could be avoided if motorists abide by the rules of the road and drive responsibly.
“You can’t drive a car from Harare to Pretoria and Johannesburg without breaks; it’s not possible. That is absolute nonsense and madness,” Mbalula said.
He said as traffic volumes increase over the next two weeks, officers would will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach, especially concerning drunk drivers.
“Such people must be arrested as you’ve seen with our lunch, we’ve such occurrences on the road.”
The N3, N1, and the N14 are expected to be the busiest roads in the country during the festive season.
More than 700 people died on the country’s roads during the holiday period last year, with most deaths recorded in KwaZulu-Natal followed by Gauteng.
