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Over 196 000 traffic fines have been issued in South Africa since 1 December.
- As the festive season comes to an end, roads across the country are experiencing high traffic volumes.
- According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, more than 196 000 traffic fines have been issued.
- Alleged infringements include drunk driving and speeding.
More than 196 000 traffic fines have been issued in South Africa since 1 December, and 4 400 drivers have been arrested for various traffic violations, including drunk driving, speeding and negligent driving, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
The corporation urged motorists to be patient on the roads while making their way home at the end of the holiday season.
It said on Tuesday that highways in various parts of the country were experiencing high traffic volumes.
"Vehicles on the N1, Pumulani Plaza have swelled to 2 400 an hour. The N3 is experiencing 1 600 an hour leaving Durban, while 1 400 an hour have been recorded passing Middleburg on the N4," RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane told News24.
Zwane advised motorists to exercise patience and urged them to bear in mind that there was no check-in time at home, therefore there would be no consequences for getting home late.
He added that law enforcement officers had been deployed on all major routes.
Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison appealed to motorists to exercise greater caution amid high traffic volumes.
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Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said more than 22 000 written notices were issued in the province since the start of the festive season for various offences, including reckless and negligent driving and vehicle defects.
In addition, 19 motorists were arrested in the province for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
"About 33 000 vehicles went through various weighbridges across the province. The officials went on to impound nearly 600 vehicles due to defects and excessive overloading," Mmusi said.
Mmusi added:
The law enforcement officers will continue to be visible on the road through block patrols and speed operations.
In a statement, Gauteng traffic police also pleaded with motorists to comply with road safety rules and regulations.
He made the plea on the back of the more than 100 road fatalities that were recorded in Gauteng since the start of December.
"Many motorists are expected to return from various holiday destinations to Gauteng province to resume with economic activities after spending time with their families," spokesperson Sello Maremane said.
"The Gauteng traffic police urge to road users to comply with road safety rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary crashes, resulting in fatalities. Road crashes and fatalities contribute to the alarming rate of disabilities and deaths in the province.
"This is largely attributed to the attitude and behaviour of road users, such as unsafe overtaking, unsafe lane changing, overspeeding, pedestrian jaywalking and lack of concentration by drivers. Substance abuse and vehicle fitness have also compounded the situation on our roads."
Maremane warned that several routes and freeways were expected to experience high traffic volumes in the coming days, including the:
- N1, Polokwane to Pretoria;
- N1 ,Bloemfontein to Johannesburg;
- N4, Rustenburg to Pretoria;
- N4, Emalahleni to Pretoria;
- N12, Emalahleni to Johannesburg;
- N3, Durban to Johannesburg;
- N12, Potchefstroom to Johannesburg; and
- R573, Pretoria Moloto Road.
"The Gauteng traffic police will be on high alert as part of the integrated law enforcement plan to deal decisively with any form of road traffic violations, such as drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding, jaywalking, freight overloading and roadworthiness," Maremane said.
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