5,5 million vehicle checks

1 Mar 2011

More than 5,5 million vehicles and drivers have been checked, 2,3
million fines issued, at least 10 000 drunk drivers arrested and more
than 24 000 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use over the past
four months.

This far exceeds the million-a-month vehicle check target announced by
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele on 10 September 2010. The Minister
committed that, as of 1 October 2010, traffic law enforcement officers
across the country will stop and check no less than 1 million vehicles
and drivers every month, as part of South Africa's "Make Roads Safe"
campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP).

From 1 October 2010 to 31 January 2011, 5 593 188 vehicles and drivers
were stopped and checked, 2,362,299 million fines issued for various
traffic offences, 9 904 drunk drivers arrested and 24 373 un-roadworthy
vehicles discontinued from use.

"We want to commend our Traffic Officers and other Law Enforcement
Officers across South Africa for their dedication, commitment and hard
work thus far towards the successful implementation of the 'Make Roads
Safe' campaign and NREP. We still have a long way to go towards
significantly reducing road deaths. We want to warn road users that
traffic law enforcement will be stepped up, as we head towards the
United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 - 2020, to be
officially launched world-wide during May 2011.

However, in South Africa we must reach a stage where we obey road rules
through voluntary compliance and self-consciousness, and not merely law
enforcement. We are not anywhere near that. We need renewed enthusiasm
and energy on road safety. We therefore call on all South Africans to
play a leading and active role in the UN Decade of Action for Road
Safety," said Minister Ndebele.

During January 2011, 1 105 545 vehicles and drivers were stopped and
checked and 715 721 fines issued for various traffic offences, with most
checks (276 839) in KwaZulu-Natal. Thousands of motorists were arrested
including 1 665 for drunk driving, with the majority (581) arrested in
the Western Cape. Other arrests included reckless and/or negligent
driving (61); excessive speed (621); passenger overloading (1 239);
goods overloading (443); warrants of arrest (2 575); public transport
permits (651); false documentation (36); no driving licence (4160);
other arrests (952) and 3 788 un-roadworthy motor vehicles discontinued
from use.

During December 2010, 1 608 548 vehicles and drivers were stopped and
checked; 553 189 fines issued; 3 412 drunk driving arrests and 5 822
vehicles discontinued from use.

During November 2010, 1 493 574 vehicles and drivers were stopped and
checked; 684 739 fines issued; 2 571 drunk driving arrests and 10 282
vehicles discontinued from use.

During October 2010, 1 385 521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and
checked; 408 650 fines issued; 2 256 drunk driving arrests and 4 481
vehicles discontinued from use.

Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050

Issued by: Department of Transport
1 Mar 2011