More than 1 000 motorists arrested over Easter weekend

Over 1 000 motorists were arrested and 900 vehicles impounded over the Easter weekend across the country, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.

The RTMC said the arrests related to various offences including drunken driving, producing false driving documentation, driving recklessly, operating on the roads without driving permits and overloading of both goods and passengers.

RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane said vehicles were impounded mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga for violation of public transport operating permits.

“Increased traffic volumes were experienced on Thursday and Friday from approximately 10 am with N1 North and N3 South recording an average of 2 000 vehicles passing through various tollgates per hour. The N4 East recorded 1 900, while N1 South recorded an average of 1 000 vehicles,” Zwane said.

Zwane said one of the major concerns during this period are unroadworthy vehicles and 274 vehicles with defects vehicles were discontinued.

“A total of 75 961 vehicles were stopped and checked and 916 927 drivers were issued with traffic fines for various infringements,” Zwane said.

At least 90 people lost their lives in road accidents in four provinces since the start of the Easter holidays. Limpopo recorded the highest number of deaths after the horrific bus crash claimed the lives of 45 people.

Just before the long weekend began, former president Jacob Zuma was involved in an accident when his convoy was hit by an alleged drunk driver on Thursday evening.

KwaZulu-Natal police arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with the car crash involving Zuma.

Police said the man was charged for drunken driving, as well as reckless and negligent driving.

Zuma and his bodyguards were not injured in the car crash.

Zuma was travelling to Eshowe from Nkandla when the convoy was struck by the drunk driver.

On Thursday, at Van Reenen’s pass, a seven vehicle collision left three people trapped in their vehicles.

There were no fatalities reported by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) at that time.

Two traffic officials were knocked down by a taxi on the N3 Mooi River offramp last Friday.

Roland Robertson, spokesperson for Midlands EMS, said that they arrived to find both people in a serious condition.

“Upon arrival, it was discovered that a traffic officer and another official had been struck while performing their duties. Both were in serious condition and required urgent advanced life support treatment,” said Robertson.

On Easter Sunday, four pedestrians were knocked over by a driver in Taylors Halt, on Edendale Road.

Zwane said the 2024 Easter Season road safety campaign was launched with the aim of promoting responsible and safe road usage, reducing the number of road crashes and fatalities and influencing behavioural change during the Easter period.

“The Easter weekend is associated with increased traffic volumes as pilgrimages and holidaymakers take advantage of the public holidays to visit family or go on vacation.

“However, this surge in traffic poses significant road safety challenges, with authorities often warning motorists to exercise caution due to the high volumes of vehicles on the roads,” Zwane said.