Johannesburg - The look on her face was apprehensive as an officer from the Joburg metro police department (JMPD) pulled her over to the side of Chris Hani Road in Soweto.
The woman opened her window and readied her driving licence. But instead of being asked for it, the JMPD officer handed her water, chocolate, a coffee sachet and a pamphlet.
A smile filled with relief flashed across her face as the officer explained what was happening. In a bid to change motorists' mindsets, the JMPD and the City of Joburg’s emergency services, together with TSE Consulting, have come together to create the Safer Driver programme.
“We're appealing to the positive side of motorists and we're using positive motivation,” said JMPD officer Superintendent Richard Seduku.
“People don't want to be told what to do, and by doing this we're saying to them, you must take responsibility for your actions, be responsible behind the wheel”, he explained.
“As the JMPD, we're happy to be giving a surprise to motorists and we hope it will encourage people to drive carefully, especially over the Easter weekend,” Seduku told The Star.
Victor Radebe from TSE Consulting said they were starting the programme off small as a way to kickstart the campaign.
“We started the campaign yesterday in Diepsloot and today we’re on Chris Hani Road and the Golden Highway.
“We want motorists to understand and acknowledge driver safety,â€ù he said as he prepared the gift packs for motorists.”
Several motorists were pulled over, each with the same reaction of nervousness and concern turning into smiles and laughter.
One motorist, who had ini-tially complained about being pulled over, opened his windows and his two passengers, who were laughing, asked: “Please can we have more chocolate?”
Another worried taxi driver told The Star he was scared that he would be getting a ticket because his brake lights weren't working.
“The officer just asked to see my licence and then she gave me the chocolate and water and told me about driving safely.
“Yoh, today must be my lucky day, because she said I could go afterwards,” he said, laughing. He said he would make sure he got his brake lights fixed soon.
Radebe said the campaign had been inspired by the high number of road deaths, especially over the holidays.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said around 500 cars had been stopped on Chris Hani Road, and 480 were stopped on the Golden Highway - with drivers and occupants being educated on road and pedestrian safety.
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The Star