Pretoria - The Tshwane metro police department has vowed to turn up the heat against motorists flouting traffic laws this festive season.
This was the message put across during the launch of the department’s festive season operations yesterday at the N1 Carousel Plaza.
Tshwane mayor Randall Williams, who led the safety campaign, issued a stern warning against those likely to break road rules, saying they must abide by the traffic laws this festive season or “groove” in jail. Williams was joined by the metro police leadership, council speaker Dr Murunwa Makwarela, Roads and Transport MMC Dikeledi Selowa and Community Safety MMC Grandi Theunissen at the launch.
Many motorists were pulled over by the metro police, who also checked if their vehicles were roadworthy. Metro police members and Williams interacted with motorists whom they cautioned to take care on the road and wished them a safe journey.
Motorists were told to obey traffic rules and not offer any bribes to the metro police.
One motorist was slapped with a traffic ticket for driving with an expired licence disc.
Williams said the goal of the department remained the same as in previous years – to decrease road accidents, fatalities, injuries and road traffic offences in Tshwane over the festive season.
“I have called on the Tshwane metro police department to adopt a no-nonsense approach this festive season.
“Their mandate is clear: to ensure visible road policing, to enforce traffic rules and by-laws, to remove unroadworthy vehicles from our roads and to arrest offenders, particularly drunk drivers.”
He reminded pedestrians to cross only at designated bridges, to maintain visibility, especially when travelling at night, and to obey traffic lights.
“These are little steps that can help to avoid unnecessary fatalities,” he said.
Williams emphasised that motorists must not drink and drive and must always wear a seatbelt.
“Do not text while driving, and take breaks during long trips. Furthermore, check your vehicle’s roadworthiness and drive within prescribed speed limits,” he said.
Road users were assured that the officers would be on high alert at all times during this festive season and that transgressors would be arrested for serious traffic violations.
“This festive season you will groove behind bars if you do not obey traffic laws,” Williams said.
Pretoria News