In anticipation of a very busy Easter Weekend as well as Easter Break, Swartland Municipality kicked off their Easter Road Safety Campaign on 8 April 2022. Although the school holidays have already concluded, a very busy Easter season is expected with two long weekends during April, creating a much-anticipated break for residents and visitors. There is already an increase in traffic due to the coming Easter Weekend as South Africans are making use of the public holidays to take some down time now that the State of Disaster has also been lifted.
The Swartland Traffic and Law Enforcement Department in conjunction with SAPS and Provincial Traffic conducted its first roadblock at the Moorreesburg Weighbridge on the N7 on Friday. The Swartland Executive Mayor, Harold Cleophas, was also present and greeted visitors to the region. Routine safety checks were performed and the Swartland K9 unit assisted with random searches.
The Swartland ANPR bus was also on site. This bus uses an integrated camera services that scans vehicles upon approach and notifies the traffic team on the ground of any outstanding fines. When motorists are pulled over, they are reminded of outstanding fines and have the option to immediately pay it at the ANPR bus. The bus is equipped with an officer of the court and card machine.
“Some of the busiest routes in the province runs through Swartland. That is why we are very serious about making sure our roads and road users are safe. We will have a zero-tolerance approach. Roadblocks such as this serve to identify and remove unlicenced and unroadworthy vehicles as well as unlicenced drivers.
“We urge all drivers during this time to be alert on the roads and to stick to the rules of the road. We all have a responsibility to ensure our own safety as well as that of our fellow road users,” said Mayor Cleophas.
Residents planning a trip are urged to make sure they are in possession of a valid driver’s licence and to make sure that their vehicle licenses are up to date. The grace period for the validity of driving licences that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021have been extended for the last time to 15 April 2022.
“Please do not wait until the last minute as we expect our licencing centres to be very busy this coming week”, the Mayor said.