Over 600 motorists were arrested for drunken driving during the now-ended festive season.
It follows one of the busiest festive seasons, with hundreds of vehicles leaving the City of Johannesburg for various destinations across the country. This has been an impressive season without traveling restriction after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Joburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla says it was pleasing to see most residents comply with road safety rules. “It has been heartwarming to see most motorists and law enforcement officials work together to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.”
Safety measures were ramped during the festive season. They included roadside checks and roadblocks, vehicle inspections and tests for driver fitness and driver behaviour.
“Officers have been conducting drunken driving operations throughout the City with other law enforcement agencies such as SAPS and Gauteng Traffic Police,” Fihla says.
“Over 600 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol from 28 November 2022 to 2 January 2023,” he adds.
On New Year’s Day, the High-Speed Unit of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) arrested a total of seven motorists for speeding. This included one incident where a motorist was driving at 189 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.
“The unit recorded a total of 6 312 cases of speeding on 1 January alone. Of these, 2 816 were in Johannesburg (inner city), 771 in Roodepoort and 2 725 in the Sandton precinct,” he says.
“We did mention that the JMPD will be out in full force to ensure safety for everyone during the festive, we will continue with intensified operations as people will be making their way back to the City. This proves once more that the safety of residents is a priority to the City,” Fihla says.
“We are appealing to motorists to adhere to all the rules of the road and to drive with caution. Avoid excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance, reckless and negligent driving, and talking or texting on cellphones while driving.”
The City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) conducted a number of fireworks bylaw compliance blitzes in the Joburg CBD, Fordsburg and Alexandra during festive season.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe says the aim of the campaign was to ensure stores that sell fireworks have correct permits, storage and fire safety compliance.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure diverse safety across the City and we will continue to provide fore and rescue services to educate residents about fire safety and by law compliance” she says.
“We are looking forward to a prosperous year and we urge communities to be safe and avoid rivers as it has been raining continuously,” she adds.
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