Gauteng Traffic Police calls on road users to be cautious, vigilant ahead of the new year

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The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) has called on all road users to exercise caution and be vigilant ahead of the new year.

This is due to holidaymakers who will be enjoying themselves at various places of entertainment including parks, recreational facilities, restaurants, pubs, and other places of leisure in Gauteng.

The traffic police said they are anticipating heavy traffic on Gauteng roads as there will be inter provincial travels as the new year approaches. 

GTP spokesperson, Sello Maremane said that it is therefore important to celebrate responsibly and prioritise yours and the safety of others by protecting everyone around you, especially those who are vulnerable.

He said that we all can help to prevent road crashes by adhering to the rules of the road and behaving responsibly and looking out for pedestrians who attempt to cross on busy roads.

“We urge motorists to avoid using the roads while under the influence of alcohol, this includes jaywalking and drinking and driving as this can lead to reckless behaviour and road fatalities.

“Furthermore, the traffic police will not tolerate lawlessness as this kind of behaviour is a criminal offence,” said Maremane. 

He added that so far two-hundred and forty-two persons in Gauteng have lost their lives due to road crashes since the start of the festive period.

The death rate for this period is alarmingly high in comparison to the previous years considering that out of the 242 lives lost, one-hundred and twenty-three of those are pedestrians mainly in urban areas. 

“The major causes of these road fatalities in the province include pedestrian jaywalking, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol as well as reckless and negligent driving. The recent wet weather conditions also pose dangerous driving conditions for roads users,” he stated. 

The Gauteng Traffic Police and the Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) will be deployed throughout the province to monitor compliance and eliminate criminal activities.

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The freeways remain hot spot areas for over speeding, while places of leisure such as parks remain our hot spot areas for driving under the influence of alcohol.

All crime spot areas will be manned by the Crime Prevention Wardens.

“We would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the friends and families who have lost their loves ones during this period as a result of road crashes.

“May their soul rest in eternal peace. I would also like to wish our road users a prosperous and successful new year,” Maremane concluded.