Pretoria - A total of 20 taxi drivers have been arrested for driving without a public driver’s permit in Gauteng, says the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
The arrests were part of Operation Molao which is aimed at curbing lawlessness and reducing accidents on the roads.
“More than 130 motorists received fines for different offences including failing to wear seatbelts, using cellphones while driving, using vehicles with various defects including smooth tyres, defective lamps and wipers,” RTMC said in a statement on Wednesday.
A total of 101 un-roadworthy taxis were also impounded because of various defects identified including operating unlicensed vehicles and failing to display number plates.
“Traffic authorities have adopted an uncompromising stance on impounded vehicles. They insist that all outstanding fines be paid before vehicles are released,” the RTMC said.
Investigations are also been conducted on the vehicles to establish, among others, if the vehicles were involved in the commission of crime or were involved in accidents for which the drivers were not held accountable.
The exercise also seeks to identify habitual offenders and to bring them to book.
“Traffic law enforcement authorities have committed that they will continue the drive until they see a remarkable improvement on the behaviour of all motorists including taxi drivers.
“Unmarked traffic vehicles will also be deployed in an effort to identify motorists who engage in reckless and negligent behaviour such as driving on yellow lanes, overtaking on barriers lines and showing disregard for the rules of the road,” the RTMC said. – SAnews.gov.za
