City gets the ball rolling on its Easter holiday safety plan
30 March 2023
Not only has the City reconvened its Festive Season
multi-departmental coordinating committee to mitigate any risks and challenges
that may arise over the school holidays and Easter long-weekend, but the
Traffic Service is also ready to roll out its latest instalment of Operation
Exodus.
The Easter edition of Operation Exodus will run for a week, between 31 March and 6 April 2023.
As has become custom, Traffic Service teams will be stationed at the Joe Gqabi Public Transport Interchange, Bellville Traffic Department and the long distance bus terminus in the CBD.
Long distance public transport operators can have free safety checks conducted on their vehicles, before heading out of the city.
'We are preparing for a very busy two weeks as travellers move in and out of the city for the school holidays, and the Easter long weekend. Our appeal to long distance public transport operators is to make sure that they have competent persons behind the wheel, but also that their vehicles are fit for purpose. Our free vehicle safety checks are designed to improve road safety, and protect the lives of travellers.
'As usual, we will also have vehicle checkpoints at strategic locations, to focus on vehicle safety, overloading and driver fitness. However, while Operation Exodus focuses on public transport operators, this does not mean that private motorists are getting a free pass,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
During the week of Easter 2022, the City's enforcement services arrested 91 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol. They also recorded 62 283 speeding offences.
Province-wide, 34 persons died in road accidents over the previous Easter weekend.
'The statistics are proof once more of why so much of our focus is on road safety. However, as with many other public safety issues, this is a shared responsibility. Road users have to take accountability for their actions and choices, and we will have no choice but to act against anyone who behaves in a manner that puts lives at risk,' added Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
