It is sad that negligent drivers ‘actions constantly affect those that have respect for the rules of the roads. They are inflicting pain and suffering on families who lose their loved ones and heads of households due to needless road crashes. This is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane.
The MEC made these remarks after a report on the drivers that were stopped and arrested for excessive speeding on the road during traffic operations that were staged across the province between July and September 2017. During this period, 14 drivers were arrested and 13 of them were prosecuted and found guilty. Speeding offences ranged from 142km/h to 256km/h. This occurred in 100km and 120km zones respectively.
Amongst the drivers that were found guilty include, Ngomane Clive who was driving 192km/h on a 120km/h zone. He was fined R7000 or seven months imprisonment. Ngobeni Evans was arrested while driving 191km/h at a 120km/h per hour zone and he was fined R5000 or five months imprisonment. Ngomane Lucas was caught driving 181km/h at a 120 km/h zone, he was slapped with a R5000 fine or five months imprisonment.
MEC Ngomane has called on the private sector, civil society, and the broader community to collectively work with government in educating young people about the dangers of not obeying road rules particularly excessive speeding. Meanwhile Theo Mabuza (31) was brought to book yesterday at Alkmaar N4 Toll Road after his sedan vehicle [Porsche] he was travelling in recorded 256 km/h in a 120km/h zone. He appeared in Nelspruit Magistrate Court today where he was granted a R1000 bail. The suspect will appear again in court on 5 October 2017.
Ngomane has condemned this behavior by most young drivers stating that it is irresponsible and mischievous. He argued that such behavior on the road should be avoided at all times and that perpetrators must receive maximum permissible sentences.
Ngomane commended the traffic officers saying they should not be discouraged by few individuals who continue to break traffic regulations. He said the officers must not leave any stone unturned in pursuance of mischief makers on the roads so that more lives could be saved.
“We must create an environment where motorists will fear to commit offences; in this way, we will have fewer crashes on our roads caused by human error,” he said.
The MEC has once more reiterated his call to road users to respect traffic rules and other road users. He still maintains that communities must also play their part by reporting bad driving to authorities so that action is taken against wrong doers.
Ends.
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 1575
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za