Road police on the beat

Road safety will be carefully monitored over the festive season. Regular roadblocks will check for everything from drunk drivers to roadworthiness.
VEHICLES that were not roadworthy were pulled off the road; stolen cars were recovered; and illegal substances were confiscated at the launch of Gauteng’s Festive Season Campaign.

MEC MazibukoMEC Faith Mazibuko: Safety of residents a priorityLaunched on the N14 highway, which is notorious for motor and pedestrian accidents, the campaign is aimed at radically reducing the number of road fatalities common to this busy period. The highway passes through the township of Diepsloot, heading towards Krugersdorp.

The MEC for community safety in Gauteng, Faith Mazibuko, declared the campaign open on Wednesday, 7 December when she joined a host of traffic officers at a road block. Mazibuko and the officers stopped vehicles and inspected their roadworthiness, and conducted breathalyser tests.

The campaign is being rolled out in partnership with various policing departments across the province, including the Johannesburg metro police, Gauteng metro police, Ekurhuleni metro police department and Tshwane metro police.

A heavy duty truck that was not roadworthy, but which had driven all the way from Zambia through the Beit Bridge border post in Limpopo Province, was seized. One stolen vehicle was recovered and a taxi without shock absorbers, a leaking engine and worn tyres was pulled off the road.

In the police’s biggest break, they confiscated tons of dagga worth millions of rand in street value that was being transported in a bakkie travelling from Krugersdorp. It was destined for Joburg.

Bribes
Speaking at the roadblock, Mazibuko told traffic officers and patrollers to restore the pride of law enforcers. “Go out there and makes us proud. Be visible at every corner in the province. Do not accept any bribes; in fact, those caught bribing officers should be arrested on the spot.

Checking for stolen vehiclesChecking for stolen vehicles“We have a duty and a responsibility to ensure the safety of our residents during this period of festivities.”

During the campaign, traffic and patrol officers will stop vehicles at roadblocks to check driving and car licence discs, vehicle roadworthiness, registration plates, excessive speeding and taking on cellphones.

Roadblocks will be conducted day and night.

In terms of safety, drivers are also urged to take regular resting breaks to avoid fatigue.

“We are confident that our officers will arrest offenders and chancers during this period.”

Arrest
Mazibuko warned that no tickets would be issued for drunken drivers and recklessness. “The message is clear for the three main traffic violations: excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless and negligent driving is punishable with arrest, not a fine, because we remain focused on the quest to keep Gauteng safe.”

The N14 is a known high-accident zone. A great number of accidents on the road involve pedestrians. Because it is a freeway, vehicles drive at speeds of up to 120 kilometres an hour, and so endanger the lives of schoolchildren and workers who cross the road.

A public demand for a footbridge has been raised with the Office of the MEC.

A taxi is inspected for faultsA taxi is inspected for faults“Traffic accidents account for many injuries and deaths in our country, which has a huge economic cost on the country’s resources. Many traffic collision studies have confirmed that an accident is normally preceded by traffic law violation and infringement,” said Mazibuko.

Representing the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), spokesperson Edna Mamonyane said her department fully supported the provincial festive season campaign.

“As the JMPD working together with other law enforcement agencies, we will ensure that we keep the roads of Gauteng safe. Our task is to ensure that people leaving this province come back safely. Our officers will be all over our roads to enforce the law.”

Speaking about pedestrian fatalities on the N14, Major-General Reddy Oswald of the police’s Honeydew Cluster, under which Diepsloot falls, said: “Pedestrians get run over by vehicles, especially at night, because they cannot measure the speed of the on-coming traffic. During the weekends, it gets worse as some attempt to cross the road drunk.”

He also stressed the need for a footbridge so that residents could cross the busy highway with no fear of injury.

Roads targeted during the campaign will include Moloto Road, which also has a high rate of fatal accidents.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation statistics have found that:

Roads accidents involving pedestrians are the biggest contributor to fatalities;
Approximately 40 percent of fatal crashes involve pedestrians; and
Jay walking, crossing freeways and drunk pedestrians are vulnerable to accidents.
This implies that pedestrians completely disregard road traffic laws. Traffic visibility should be a top priority in pedestrian congested and sensitive areas and motorists should reduce their speed.