These days the Department of Transport loves throwing around impressive-sounding figures about arrests and vehicle confiscations and the latest boast is that 31 439 motorists were arrested in the last month.
This number includes 2492 arrests for drunk driving, 162 for reckless and/or negligent driving, 314 for excessive speed, 9222 for outstanding warrants of arrest, 635 for not being in possession of valid public transport permits, 50 for false documentation, 117 for not being in possession of a valid driving licence and the rest for various other offences.
During the same period, says the department, 1 506 958 vehicles and drivers were checked, 526 735 fines issued for various traffic offences and 6084 un-roadworthy vehicles discontinued from use.
Minister Ndebele has commended emergency services for working all out during the December festive season to ensure safer roads. “Whatever success was achieved during the December holiday period was due to the dedication of our traffic officers, police officers and other members of our emergency services.”
The minister also promised that the tough action will continue:
“Through the National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), during 2012 we will continue stopping and checking no less than a million vehicles and drivers every month, as well as aggressively pursue dangerous drivers who drink and drive, drive recklessly or drive inconsiderately.
“It is time that all right-thinking and like-minded South Africans say: Enough is Enough - we need to take back our roads!”