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Over 1million vehicles tested in safety drive

TRAFFIC officers have stopped and checked 1141447 vehicles and drivers in 988 roadblocks in the country since December 1 as part of the Arrive Alive road safety campaign, the Transport Department said yesterday.

TRAFFIC officers have stopped and checked 1141447 vehicles and drivers in 988 roadblocks in the country since December 1 as part of the Arrive Alive road safety campaign, the Transport Department said yesterday.

It said 3939 people were arrested for drunk driving, 298 for reckless and negligent driving and 155 for overloading.

In addition, 186 public transport drivers were arrested, 214 arrests were made over driving licences and false documentation and 3305 unroadworthy vehicles - including 1737 buses and taxis - were removed from the roads.

Department spokesperson Logan Maistry said speeding fines were imposed on 297000 motorists.

On Sunday, the driver of an overloaded minibus taxi was caught travelling 156km/h in a 120km/h zone on the N2 near Sezela in KwaZulu-Natal, while a motorist was arrested for doing 202km/h in a 120km/h zone on the N2 near Fairbreeze in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, Maistry said.

He said preliminary reports indicated that 315 people had died in 253 crashes on the country's roads between January 1 and January 17. They included 90 drivers, 135 passengers and 90 pedestrians.

In December, 1050 people died on South Africa's roads. Of these, 276 were drivers, 419 passengers and 355 pedestrians.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has called on vehicle manufacturers, non-governmental organisations, the religious sector, victims of road crashes, families of those killed and injured in road crashes and experts to partner with the government to do more towards safer roads. - Sapa

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