Easter traffic: Zero tolerance

2003-04-10 00:34

Pretoria - Law enforcers will be out in full force from next week to ensure Easter long-weekend traffic runs as smoothly as possible, the Arrive Alive campaign said on Wednesday.

Traffic officials would conduct random roadblocks, cracking down on offences like vehicle overloading, drunken driving and invalid licences, it said in a statement.

"Authorities will also target violations like using a cellular phone while driving, unsafe overtaking, reckless driving and unfastened seatbelts."

The focus would be on roads known to be hazardous.

Traffic law enforcement satellite stations would be erected on main routes to ensure visibility and render assistance to road users, Arrive Alive said.

Traffic was expected to start picking up from next Thursday when travellers, mainly from Gauteng, venture off on holiday or annual pilgrimages like that held by the Zion Christian Church at Moria near Polokwane in Limpopo.

Traffic volumes were expected to start increasing around noon next Thursday and stay high until 22:00.

"On Friday, traffic volumes will start picking up in the morning and will return to normal after midday, while return traffic will commence from Moria on Sunday."

The department expected traffic to be heavy on main routes throughout April 21 with travellers returning home.

- SAPA