Transport Authorities across the country have stepped up efforts to deal with deviant driver behavior by scholar transport operators. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reports that a total of 1 607 road users have been caught and arrested for committing various offences, such as drunken driving, producing false driving documentation, driving recklessly, operating on the roads without driving permits, and overloading both goods and passengers.
This week alone law enforcement operations placed strong emphasis on vehicle roadworthiness and load management, as unroadworthy vehicles continue to pose a serious risk on South African roads and contribute to fatal crashes.
About 313 K78 roadblocks were conducted in the country by traffic law enforcement officials where 259 162 vehicles were stopped and checked, 64 189 drivers were issued with traffic fines, 1 573 arrests and 34 pedestrians arrested totaling to 1 607 road users arrested for these offences.
Vehicles with mechanical defects often struggle to stop effectively or respond to emergencies, leading to avoidable incidents. As part of the weekly enforcement efforts, 964 vehicles were discontinued, and 1 576 vehicles were impounded.
In the Western Cape a man was caught on the N1 near De Doons driving a motor vehicle above the legal alcohol limit, the alcohol reading was 2.52mg/1000ml. He was arrested and detained at a nearby police station. Also in the Western Cape, a male driver was caught driving at 199km/h exceeding the legal speed limit of 120km/h on the N1 near Beaufort West.