With the festive season fast approaching, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is ramping up efforts to ensure compliance with road safety regulations.
Story Summary:
- The RTMC urges motorists to renew over 1.6 million expiring vehicle licences by the end of December 2024 and ensure vehicle roadworthiness.
- A zero-tolerance policy for traffic violations will be enforced during the 46-day festive season road safety campaign beginning 1 December.
- Transport Minister Barbara Creecy will launch the campaign, focusing on reducing accidents and paying tribute to traffic officers who died in the line of duty.
RTMC warns motorists to renew expired licences
Motorists are being urged to renew their vehicle licences and professional driving permits (PDPs) promptly to avoid legal penalties.
According to the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS), over 624,000 vehicle licence discs will expire by the end of November 2024, with an additional 1,026,269 set to expire by the end of December.
The Western Cape leads in upcoming expirations, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
To address the backlog, the RTMC has streamlined its online renewal process, enabling motorists to renew licences via the NaTIS website and opt for convenient home delivery of discs.
Motorists are also reminded to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy.
Authorities emphasise the importance of checking brakes, tyres, and lights, and carrying a toolkit and spare wheel for emergencies.
Traffic violators will be targeted this festive season
The RTMC has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for traffic violations, particularly during the upcoming 46-day festive season road safety campaign, which runs from 1 December to mid-January.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy officially launched the campaign on Sunday, 17 November 2024, coinciding with World Remembrance Day.
Authorities are focusing on preventing accidents by targeting high-risk behaviours, including drunk driving, speeding, and pedestrian safety violations.
Night driving and high-volume traffic zones will be areas of heightened enforcement.
Drunken driving patrols will increase, particularly in residential areas hosting festive celebrations.
This campaign comes against the backdrop of South Africa’s ongoing efforts to reduce road fatalities.
Despite incremental progress, the country remains far from achieving its goal of a 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030.
