EASTER TIME. COPS ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE!

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has urged road users to do the right thing and obey all road rules this Easter.

"From Thursday, 21 April until 2 May 2011, traffic volumes on the country's roads will increase as South Africans celebrate Easter, Freedom Day and Workers Day. We call upon all road users to do the right thing and obey all road rules. Driving with the headlights on during the day has proven to reduce vehicle crashes. We therefore urge motorists to drive with their headlights on at all times and make our roads safe.

"As part of the Arrive Alive-Make Roads Safe campaign, Law Enforcement Officers will be out in full force along major arterial routes and identified hazardous locations. Law enforcement operations will be conducted across the country in accordance with the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP). The newly-established National Traffic Police will also bolster enforcement on vehicle roadworthiness, public passenger transport vehicles, speeds too high for circumstances, driving under the influence of alcohol and moving violations. Our Traffic Officers must be commended for their renewed dedication and commitment towards the NREP. We encourage motorists to take regular breaks and report bad driving to 0861 400 800. Pedestrians must ensure that they are visible in the dark, do not drink and walk, jaywalk or walk on freeways.

"Last Thursday (14 April), we returned from the launch of the 'Make Roads Safe, Time for Action' report of the Commission for Global Road Safety in London where the Zenani Mandela Road Safety Scholarship was announced. As government, we are going all out in South Africa to ensure that any person who commits any traffic offence faces the consequences of their actions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Through the Arrive Alive-Make Roads Safe campaign and NREP, we are progressing well towards a unified, consistent and harmonised approach to traffic law enforcement in order to make a meaningful impact on road crashes and deaths. This is in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, to be officially launched world-wide on 11 May 2011," said Minister Ndebele.

On 10 September 2010 Minister Ndebele committed that, as of 1 October 2010, Traffic Law Enforcement Officers across the country will stop and check no less than one million vehicles and drivers every month, as part of South Africa's Arrive Alive-Make Roads Safe campaign and new NREP.

From 1 October 2010 to 31 March 2011, over 7.5 million vehicles and drivers have been checked, 3.2 million fines issued for various traffic offences, 12 344 drunk drivers arrested and 30 824 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use.

During March 2011, 1 013 886 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked and 530 735 fines issued for various traffic offences, with most checks (198 341) in KwaZulu-Natal. Thousands of motorists were arrested including 1,341 for drunk driving, with the majority (629) arrested in the Western Cape. Other arrests included reckless and/or negligent driving (83); excessive speed (412); passenger overloading (40); goods overloading (50); warrants of arrest (2 155); public transport permits (196); false documentation (35); no driver's licence (349); other offences (315) and 3 700 un-roadworthy motor vehicles discontinued from use.

In February 2011, 941 870 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked; 318 828 fines issued; 1 099 drunk driving arrests and 2 751 unroadworthy motor vehicles discontinued from use.

During January 2011, 1 105 545 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked; 715 721 fines issued; 1 665 drunk driving arrests and 3 788 un-roadworthy motor vehicles discontinued from use.

In December 2010, 1 608 548 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked; 553 189 fines issued; 3 412 drunk driving arrests and 5 822 vehicles discontinued from use.

During November 2010, 1 493 574 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked; 684 739 fines issued; 2 571 drunk driving arrests and 10 282 vehicles discontinued from use.

In October 2010, 1 385 521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked; 408 650 fines issued; 2 256 drunk driving arrests and 4 481 vehicles discontinued from use.