MINISTER of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele has encouraged motorists to use self-test breathalysers before hitting the roads this festive season.
About 1724 drunk drivers were arrested last month and another 501 this month, ending the beginning of this week.
Just under 8500 unroadworthy vehicles, mainly buses and taxis, have been taken off the roads by traffic police since the beginning of November, said the Department of Transport.
This December more than 3900 unroadworthy vehicles were not allowed to continue with their trips and more than 1400 motorists were arrested across the country for various traffic offences. In November, traffic police removed more than 4500 vehicles off the roads.
As part of the December holiday road safety plan, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele joined law-enforcement officers at a roadblock in KwaZulu-Natal, where he handed out disposable self-test breathalysers and encouraged road users to test their alcohol levels before getting on to the roads.
"Road users, particularly passengers utilising public transport, must speak out against bad driving. Commuters in buses and taxis must not allow themselves to be carried around like a bag of potatoes.
"They must not keep quiet and must refuse to get into overloaded vehicles because it is their right," Ndebele said.
"While passengers are vocal on numerous other issues, many are silent when it comes to road safety. Ensure that you don't sacrifice yourself on the road.
"The best traffic officer is yourself. Test yourself to know your alcohol limit and test your vehicle before embarking on a journey. Leave early, drive slowly, live longer and arrive alive."
For the December period leading up to the beginning of this week, more than 544000 vehicles and thousands of drivers were checked and 117061 fines were issued for various traffic offences nationally.
Over the past three months, more than 3500 public transport and freight drivers have been arrested as part of the pre-December holiday traffic law enforcement operations.
This after Ndebele's instruction that every bus and taxi must be stopped and checked. Road users can report any traffic offence to the National Traffic Police on 0861 400 800.
Self-test for safety
MINISTER of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele has encouraged motorists to use self-test breathalysers before hitting the roads this festive season.
About 1724 drunk drivers were arrested last month and another 501 this month, ending the beginning of this week.
Just under 8500 unroadworthy vehicles, mainly buses and taxis, have been taken off the roads by traffic police since the beginning of November, said the Department of Transport.
This December more than 3900 unroadworthy vehicles were not allowed to continue with their trips and more than 1400 motorists were arrested across the country for various traffic offences. In November, traffic police removed more than 4500 vehicles off the roads.
As part of the December holiday road safety plan, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele joined law-enforcement officers at a roadblock in KwaZulu-Natal, where he handed out disposable self-test breathalysers and encouraged road users to test their alcohol levels before getting on to the roads.
"Road users, particularly passengers utilising public transport, must speak out against bad driving. Commuters in buses and taxis must not allow themselves to be carried around like a bag of potatoes.
"They must not keep quiet and must refuse to get into overloaded vehicles because it is their right," Ndebele said.
"While passengers are vocal on numerous other issues, many are silent when it comes to road safety. Ensure that you don't sacrifice yourself on the road.
"The best traffic officer is yourself. Test yourself to know your alcohol limit and test your vehicle before embarking on a journey. Leave early, drive slowly, live longer and arrive alive."
For the December period leading up to the beginning of this week, more than 544000 vehicles and thousands of drivers were checked and 117061 fines were issued for various traffic offences nationally.
Over the past three months, more than 3500 public transport and freight drivers have been arrested as part of the pre-December holiday traffic law enforcement operations.
This after Ndebele's instruction that every bus and taxi must be stopped and checked. Road users can report any traffic offence to the National Traffic Police on 0861 400 800.
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