Zero tolerance on Limpopo’s roads this festive season | Review

POLOKWANE – Increased traffic volumes are expected on Limpopo’s major roads as South Africans travel to festive season destinations.

Law enforcement officers are ready to manage the flow that has seen an increase since early December.

The Department of Transport and Community Safety says traffic officers have been ordered to maintain a zero tolerance stance on reckless and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

This includes speeding, drunk driving, overloading, driving without a licence, vehicles with expired licence discs and public transport operators without relevant permits.

To help this stance, 65 police vehicles were added to the official duty roster this festive season to deal with crime, according to provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe.

Hadebe made this announcement during the launch of safer festive season operations in October led by premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba.

During the start of the 2023/24 financial year, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga announced that fatalities had declined by 8.4% compared to the previous year.

However, human factors remained the main contributor to fatal crashes, accounting for 90% of the total.

At the launch, the Transport and Community Safety MEC, Violet Mathye warned both motorists and traffic officers against the ignorance of flouting road rules, with the hope of buying the officer ‘coldrink’, a sign of corruption.

Congestion is expected on the following routes:
– N1 north
– R101
– R71
– R579: Lebowakgomo to Apelcross
– D4100: Apelcross to Groblersdal and Marblehal

Basic road tips for the festive season:

• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy
• Minimise distractions while driving
• Wear seatbelts at all times
• Secure children in approved child restraints

To help with traffic congestion, motorists can:

– Drive with caution
– Be courteous to other drivers
– Maintain a safe following distance
– Avoid driving on the yellow lane
– Avoid facing oncoming traffic, especially at tollgates.