A total of 48 vehicles were inspected, on the N1 and N4, by the Tshwane Metro Police department’s Overload Control Unit (OCU), on Sunday alone.
About 27 of those were found to be extremely overloaded and 2 deemed unroadworthy and therefore, impounded.
The unit said it got to those arrested, through intercepting those vehicles on their way to Zimbabwe and Mozambique, for compliance checks.
Barbara Creecy, the Minister of Transport, launched a festive season road safety campaign, three days ago.
She said about 800 National Road Traffic Law-Enforcement Officers are out there, supported by various other agencies, to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and maintain safety.
She said an outcome from a Mid-Term Review, shows that the visibility of enforcement, has an impact on incident rates.
“We have stopped 13.7 more vehicles this year than last year and this puts a larger group of road users in trouble.
Government — through the RTMC, SAPS, Traffic Police, and provincial partners — has undertaken 639 roadblocks, in which 714 371 vehicles were stopped and checked” said Creecy.
A total of 168 427 traffic fines were issued, while 3 695 unroadworthy vehicles were discontinued, and 2 552 public transport vehicles impounded.
About 2 364 drivers were arrested for drunken driving, 236 for driving at excessive speeds, 178 for reckless and negligent driving while fifty-three (53) pedestrians were arrested for jaywalking on freeways.
Twenty (26) motorists were arrested for attempting to bribe traffic officers.
This means the total number of arrests on the road, have risen by 16.2%, compared to last year, due to intensified law enforcement.
Alcohol related arrests climbed up by 97.8% this year, compared to last year.
Picture: Supplied