Accolades for EL’s traffic testing centre

THE East London traffic testing centre has narrowly missed out of being named as the best improved driving licence testing centre in the country.

Instead, the centre, which was voted as the best in the Eastern Cape, ended up being a finalist after it was beaten by the Northern Cape’s Sol Plaatje local municipality for the first position.

The announcement was made by Transport Minister Blade Nzimande at the Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, on Friday.

Buffalo City Metro (BCM) public safety portfolio head Amanda Mnyute said the metro was proud of its excellent services.

“The BCM traffic services is nationally renowned for its hard work and this accolade will go a long way in motivating its driven personnel,” she said.

Mnyute described the award as encouraging and deserving.

“Our traffic and law enforcement officials exercise high professional standards which are aimed at ensuring that our citizens live in a safe and healthy environment,” Mnyute said.

Regular successful operations were held throughout the city and were instrumental in managing traffic during big events in the city, she said

Mnyute said the automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system was also launched to better equip the traffic department.

This, she said, has assisted in the collection of outstanding fines, execution of warrants of arrest and the finalisation of traffic ticket cases.

“Since the introduction of the ANPR, the payment rate of outstanding traffic fines has increased significantly as motorists can pay on the spot.

“In line with its transformation agenda, last week the BCM traffic department also appointed two women to senior positions: that of superintendent and assistant superintendent,” Mnyute said.