By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Traffic Police says preliminary statistics indicate that Gauteng roads have recorded over 20 fatalities from Thursday, 06 April 2023 to date.
According to Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane, the majority of fatalities are a result of jaywalking, reckless and negligent driving, and disregarding traffic signals amongst others.
As a result, Gauteng Traffic officials said they will be intensifying visible patrolling across the province to ensure safe returns for holidaymakers who are travelling from various provinces.
“The heightened police visibility is aimed at ensuring road safety, thus reducing road crashes, leading to fatalities along Gauteng major routes,” said Maremane.
“Law enforcement operations will be conducted to monitor road users through intensified pedestrian operations, K78 roadblocks, driver and vehicles assessments, speed law enforcement operations, reckless and negligent driving operations, incident management, and search-and-seizure operations amongst other things.”
The Gauteng Traffic Police extends its condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to all those receiving medical treatment as a result of injuries sustained in various crashes.
Meanwhile the traffic authorities on the N3 say they are registering increased traffic volumes from KZN to Gauteng as holidaymakers return from the Easter long weekend.
According to N3 Toll Concession Operations manager, Thania Dhoogra they recorded 1500 vehicles per hour heading north by Monday morning already.
“Motorists are advised to plan ahead and prepare for busy traffic on the route throughout the day to get busy between 12pm and 6pm,” she said.
“In addition to a number of road safety interventions being conducted along the route at strategic locations, the Road Traffic Inspectorate may implement traffic calming measures to limit congestion and improve safety, particularly along the Van Reenen’s pass. Allow additional travel time to cater for any delays that may occur as a result of inclement weather on the routes.”