Pretoria - Preparations have been made to handle the expected high traffic volumes at the Easter weekend.
Spokesperson for the Community Safety Department, Console Tleane, said the department, which consists of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police, the Fire Brigade and the Disaster Management Centre, had put together a comprehensive strategy to deal with the expected increases in traffic flow.
The N1 and the R101, (old Warmbaths Road) are expected to have high volumes of traffic especially for the pilgrims who will be travelling to Moria outside Polokwane in Limpopo.
In addition, the N4 to Mpumalanga will also experience high volumes of traffic.
On Wednesday and throughout the Easter weekend, Metro police officers will hold various road blocks and be actively policing the streets.
Mr Tleane said high visibility and effective law enforcement would ensure there were no major accidents on the roads as well as a helicopter which will assist in vehicle counts, monitoring accidents and all criminal activities.
A Roadside Traffic Camp, with a Joint Operations Centre, will be established at the Wallmannsthal Interchange to reduce response time to major incidents and accidents consisting of all the relevant role players. It will be operational from Wednesday.
Other specific interventions include visible vehicle patrols on the N1, N4, R28, R21, R101 and N14.
Drivers will be stopped and inspected for vehicle and driver fitness, tested for drinking and driving and other road traffic offences such as overloading.
"There will also be visible foot and vehicle patrol to charge, arrest and confiscate goods from traders trading illegally as well as distributors distributing pamphlets causing danger and obstruction to traffic in intersections."
Police will stop and search suspicious persons and vehicles for stolen vehicles, house and vehicle breaking equipment, drunkenness in public, illegal fire arms, drugs and all other criminal activities to ensure the safety and security of the community.
Regular visits will be made by police to taverns and shebeens searching for all illegal activities, licenses, noise and to minimise petty crimes.
The city's ambulance services, Fire Brigade and Disaster Management personnel will also be on standby to assist in the event of accidents and other occurrences.
