Pretoria - As traffic volumes are expected to increase again this week ahead of the New Year, traffic police will continue to be more visible.
Transport spokesperson, Logan Maistry said traffic volumes peaked at more than 2 000 vehicles per hour along major arterial routes last Friday.
"With hundreds of motorists arrested across the country during the Christmas long week-end, law enforcement officers will continue to be visible in full force," he said.
A taxi driver was arrested on the N4 highway outside Zeerust in the North West last Friday after cramming 40 passengers into a 22-seater minibus. However, he was released on R500 bail, and warned to appear in court on 9 February next year.
In Gauteng, on Friday night, 29 drunk drivers were arrested at roadblocks in Randburg, Soweto and Roodepoort.
Three motorists were arrested in Johannesburg on Christmas Eve for driving over the speed limit on the N1 south in Midrand, and are expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate's Court today, December 28.
Also on Friday, Tshwane Metro Police issued 229 fines to motorists during an inspection of 2 440 vehicles at a roadblock on the R101 road in Hammanskraal.
During another roadblock on the Moloto Road, 207 vehicles were stopped and inspected. One Putco bus and a private vehicle were pulled off the road. More than 66 people were screened for alcohol, but found to be sober.
In the Western Cape, on 23 December, a man was arrested after he was caught driving at 220km/h on the N1 near Laingsburg in the Western Cape.
The 33-year-old was travelling to Cape Town in a BMW X5 when he was trapped outside Laingsburg in the morning. The man was arrested and spent the Christmas weekend behind bars.
Operation Exodus, which ran from 15 to 21 December, saw officers checking 2 479 public transport vehicles for roadworthiness at the city's various public transport interchanges and at vehicle check points across Cape Town.
During that random check, 1 902 vehicles passed the roadworthy test while 179 vehicles failed.100 more vehicles returned for a second test, and 46 vehicles were suspended due to mechanical defects.
In KwaZulu-Natal, from 1 to 25 December, traffic authorities checked 218 612 vehicles and drivers, and issued 36 107 fines including 2 427 for not being in possession of a valid driving licence, 2 405 for not wearing seatbelts, 1 712 for unlicensed vehicles and 94 for inconsiderate driving.
A total of 978 un-roadworthy vehicles were discontinued from use. More than 146 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, 41 for excessive speed and 710 warrants of arrest were executed.
In Limpopo, since December 1, law enforcement officers stopped and screened 94 551 vehicles and tested 9 848 for roadworthiness at testing grounds.
More than 440 vehicles were discontinued while 113 drivers were arrested for drunk driving, and 29 for speeding.
Meanwhile, from 1 to 18 December, 1 434 motorists were arrested across the country including 501 for drunk driving, 93 for excessive speed, 37 for reckless and/or negligent driving, 104 for overloading, 420 for not being in possession of valid public transport permits, 16 for not being in possession of a valid driving licence, 22 for false documents and 241 for other offences.
During the same period, 544 379 vehicles and drivers were checked, 117 061 fines issued for various traffic offences and 3 956 un-roadworthy vehicles (the majority of which are buses and taxis) discontinued from use.
