The Department of Transport and Community Safety is fully prepared for the upcoming Easter travel period, with intensified law enforcement operations aimed at ensuring the safety of all road users across the province. As traffic volumes are expected to increase significantly, the Department will heighten visibility through the deployment of traffic officers on major routes and within towns. These measures are intended to promote compliance with road traffic laws and to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Motorists are urged to exercise caution and adhere strictly to the rules of the road. This includes obeying speed limits, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, and wearing seatbelts at all times. Pedestrians are equally encouraged to remain vigilant, use designated crossing points, and avoid walking on busy roads, especially at night.
MEC Mathye calls for patience and cooperation from road users, particularly at tollgates, as the department anticipates heavy traffic due to the annual pilgrimage of the two biggest ZCC churches. “We expect significant movement of buses and minibuses on R71 from Polokwane towards Boyne and from Tzaneen direction, as well as on D4040 from R37 turn off to ZCC St. Engenas via Maja. We also expect movement of buses on N1 from Beitbridge to Polokwane Direction and from N11 via R567 or D19 Matlala Road to Polokwane,” MEC Mathye stated.
The ultimate goal is to maintain the zero fatality record on N1 achieved last year during the Easter period and to extend this record to other routes. “We appeal to all road users to take personal responsibility for their safety and that of others. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and through cooperation with law enforcement, we can save lives. No journey is worth a life-arrive alive,” said MEC Violet Mathye.
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