Johannesburg – The City of Johannesburg on Monday warned motorists that traffic authorities were on the lookout for speedsters and several arrests had already been made.
The warning comes after the City recently turned on the speed cameras that had been off for a very long time owing to a contract issue with the service supplier.
RELATED: Joburg Speed Cameras Switched Back On, Speedsters Warned – The Bulrushes
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) recorded 6 312 cases of speeding on New Year’s Day, 1 January 2023. Of these, 2 816 were in Johannesburg (inner city), 771 in Roodepoort, and 2 725 were in the Sandton precinct.
“With traffic volumes expected to increase as travellers return home after the festive season, the City of Johannesburg has intensified its efforts to clamp down on speedsters on its road,” warned JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
“On New Year’s Day, the high-speed unit of the JMPD arrested a total of seven motorists for speeding.
“This included one incident where a motorist was driving at a speed of 189km/h in a 120km/h zone.”
Fihla said all suspects were detained at the Lenasia South SAPS and released on R1 500 bail.
The suspects will appear at Lenasia Court on different dates.
“Our contract with Syntel (Pty) Ltd for the provision of Advanced Law Enforcement and Crash Management services is bearing fruit and it could not have come at a better time,” said City of Johannesburg Public Safety MMC David Tembe.
“Compliance with the rules of the road and obeying set speed limits is non-negotiable and perpetrators will be brought to book.”
In a related development, the Gauteng Traffic Police called upon motorists to comply with road safety rules and regulations
The Gauteng Traffic Police said traffic volumes were expected to rise as holidaymakers return to the province.
The following major routes and freeways are expected to experience high traffic volumes:
- – 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
- – R573 Pretoria Moloto Road
The province has recorded many road crashes leading to fatalities since the beginning of the festive season period.
More than 100 road fatalities have been recorded to date in Gauteng.
Tips to ensure that motorists arrive alive and safe:
- Motorists are advised to switch on their headlamps to enhance visibility on the road.
- Pedestrians should cross the road only when it is safe or allowed by a road traffic sign to do so.
- Passengers using public transport should not carry large luggage with them which may obscure the driver’s vision.
- Public Transport Operators must refrain from continuously driving in the yellow lane on the freeway as this is illegal and also endangers other road users.
- Overspeeding and unsafe overtaking must be avoided at all times.
The Gauteng Traffic Police appeal to road users to ensure compliance with road safety rules and regulations to save lives.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police urge road users to comply with road safety rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary crashes resulting in fatalities,” said Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson.
“Road crashes and fatalities contribute to the alarming rate of disabilities and deaths in the province.
“This is largely attributed to the attitude and behavior 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 added: “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”.
