I joined Provincial Traffic Officers during one of the provincial integrated roadblocks on the N1 last night.

This operation followed soon after I launched the Festive Season Safety Plan on Monday of this week. There was a huge increase in outgoing vehicular traffic last night and a 15km traffic backup on the N1 outside Beaufort West today. Other busy roads are the N7 and the N2.

In planning and implementing these operations the Western Cape Traffic Law Enforcement team made provision for and took into consideration the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases during the festive season even though the movement of road users would be at its highest. I am fairly satisfied with the level of compliance by drivers and passengers.

There was a special focus on long distance traveling and I am very proud of the work that is being done by our officers. Focus areas and interventions last night included:

• Passenger/commuter safety
• Passenger overloads
• Driver and vehicle fitness and/or documentation
• Driver Fatigue
• Driving under the influence
• Driver behaviour

I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are speeding, drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol and those who are not complying with the rules of the road.

Alcohol continues to be central to traffic injuries in our province, for pedestrians as much as drivers and passengers. I also witnessed drinking on our roads and overloading of vehicles leaving the province. This is disappointing. There were consequences for those who did not obey the law.

As we continue to strive on a daily basis to promote consistency and the rule of law in our traffic law enforcement response, no exceptions were made for motorists who displayed lawlessness and who disobeyed the basic safety principles while on our roads.

We will continue to increase our efforts to ensure our roads are safe for all road-users. I urge all road users to abide by all the rules.  Be considerate at all times and keep yourselves and others safe whether you drive, cycle or walk.

Media Queries:   

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell

Cell: 082 953 0026

Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za