Compliance efforts heightened for Easter

Johannesburg - Traffic authorities had heightened efforts to ensure the rules of the road were being followed over the Easter period, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on Sunday.

This was as law enforcement officers had noticed several infringements being repeatedly committed, spokesperson Thato Mosena said in a statement.

"Those who are still refusing to comply, unfortunately they leave us with no choice but to deal with them decisively with vigorous enforcement."

The repeated infringements included:

- Broken-down vehicles parked on road shoulders, without switching on hazards, displaying a red triangle or warning sign to other motorists;

- Motorists hogging the right-hand lane and being reluctant to observe the "keep left pass right” regulation;

- Passengers who loiter on the verge of the road during stoppages of vehicles;

- Impatience shown by motorists and passengers at roadside traffic check points, tollgates and road construction;

- Abrupt and dangerous stopping by motorists to pick up hitch-hikers;

- Openly displaying road rage towards other motorists;

- Overloaded, unroadworthy and unlicensed trailers on arterial routes.

"Motorists are advised to be introspective and behave more responsibly as their safety and that of their families [is] in their hands," said Mosena.

"It is worth noting that there has been an increase in road safety compliance on all major routes."

She thanked those motorists who observed the rules of the road and urged them to continue doing so.