MEC Shongwe pleads with motorists to be more responsible this Festive Season

MEC Shongwe pleads with motorists to be more responsible this Festive Season

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Vusi Shongwe has pleaded with motorists to be more responsible this Festive Season in order to avoid injuries and deaths resulting from road crashes.

Shongwe’s comments follow the arrest of one hundred and twenty four drivers (124) who were found to be on the wrong side of the law during the first week of December. The traffic officers had received an instruction from the MEC to ensure that all wrong doers are brought to book during this holiday season as traffic volume is expected to increase.

Among the drivers arrested was a man aged 60 years, who was caught driving a mini Cooper at 180 km per hour on a 120 km per hour zone on the N3 Toll Road in Grootvlei on 4 December 2014. The suspect was released on a R100 bail following his appearance in Grootvlei Magistrate Court on 5 December 2014.

Part of improving road safety, the traffic officers have impounded 352 vehicles and discontinued 225 which included busses and LMV’s. The total number of vehicles stopped and checked is 48 927 during the indicated period.

The MEC called on traffic officers to work hard to ensure that all reckless drivers are brought to book during the Festive Season. He said that there is no room for negligent driving on the road and that he would never support dishonest traffic officers in the event of accepting bribes.

Shongwe has further urged community members and other road users to assist government by reporting any bad driving or corruption so that appropriate steps are taken against the perpetrators.

He has further called on Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) to ensure that those who are found on the wrong side of law receive maximum permissible sentences so that irresponsible driving is dealt with.