‘Where are the provincial traffic cops?’

WHILE accidents have already claimed the lives of two people on the N8, motorists have expressed concern regarding the lack of provincial traffic officers on the Province’s roads.

A member of the public said yesterday that it seemed that provincial traffic officers only worked from 7am until 5pm.

“The N12 towards Warrenton is one of the busiest roads in the Province and yet one very seldom sees a traffic officer on this road,” he said, pointing out further that on Friday night last week, the road was exceptionally busy.

“There was a continuous stream of vehicles on this road and yet there was no traffic officer on the road at all,” the motorist pointed out.

He added that he wondered if the department had any statistics at all on how many vehicles were stopped for various traffic offences, like straddling the barrier line or driving without a licence.

“At least 30% of the vehicles on our roads have defective lights, yet nothing is ever done. Motorists are doing as they please and the blame lies with the provincial traffic department because they are not doing their jobs.”

He added that rural roads in the Province were especially problematic.

“One never sees a provincial traffic officer on rural roads. Recently, there were veld fires on the Windsorton/barkly West road as well as the road to Warrenton. However, there were no traffic officials to direct vehicles through the heavy smoke.”

He stated that after the department was contacted, an official was eventually sent out to assist motorists through the smoke. “However, it was already too late because one driver had gone off the road and bumped into a fire-fighting vehicle on the side of the road.”

While the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison did not respond to media enquiries yesterday, the spokesperson for Sol Plaatje Municipality, Sello Matsie, confirmed that the municipal traffic department would be out in full force over the festive season.

“The road between Kimberley and Warrenton falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial traffic department, while the municipal traffic department monitors the section from the Ultra City into Kimberley and the road to Riverton and Langleg.”

He confirmed that officers would be on duty both over Christmas and New Year and would be monitoring the usual hot spots during this period, including Phakamile Mabija Street, the area near the flats in Roodepan and three or four spots in Galeshewe.

“One of the big problem areas we have currently is the Oppenheimer Gardens in Kimberley and it is sad to say that instead of being able to do law enforcement, traffic officers are forced to babysit adults, who do not know how to behave.”

As an example, Matsie said that on Saturday night traffic officials were on duty into the early hours of the morning following the Metro FM Heatwave concert in the city. “It is important that we have high visibility at hot spots to ensure that people who have been partying and drinking do not get into their vehicles and cause an accident, which could claim the lives of innocent people.”

Matsie further pointed out that it was important to take cognisance of the fact that the department currently has nine vacancies, while last weekend four officers were also on sick leave. “The issue of night duty is also taking a toll on the available resources.”

Besides the traditional hot spots on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as New Year’s Eve, traffic officers are also required to be on duty for the customary influx of people going to Riverton on New Year’s Day. “A lot of time and manpower is spent on these functions, while our traffic officials also have to respond to accidents.”

He emphasised, however, that officials would “be throwing the book at those caught speeding or drinking and driving”.

“Speed entrapments and road blocks are part of our normal dayto-day law enforcement activities that take place routinely in the city. However, over the Christmas and New Year’s period we will spend more time on the roads.”

Matsie stated that members of the public had to remember that while public amenities, like Queens Park and the Oppenheimer Gardens, were there for the community to enjoy, they should not be turned into drinking spots.

“We have started putting up signs restricting motorists from parking at the Oppenheimer Gardens from 4pm to 8am in an attempt to address the situation.”