Minister dismayed at motorists complete disregard and lawlessness

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Transport Minister Blade Nzimande says he's dismayed with the lawlessness on the country's roads which has seen 767 people killed so far this festive season, a 16% increase on the same period last year.

Law enforcement officers conducted more than 356 roadblocks throughout the country during this period and they issued 326 642 fines for various traffic offences:

• 10 666 drivers did not have a driving licence
• 9 620 did not fasten seat belts
• 8 481 were driving unlicensed vehicles
• 5 811 motorists had vehicles with worn tyres
• 3 039 drivers were overloading with goods.
• 1 402 un-roadworthy vehicles were suspended or discontinued
• 1 310 other motor vehicles were impounded.

Arrests:

1109 motorists arrested for driving drunk

5 for excessive speed. ( The highest speedster was arrested in the Free State travelling at 228 km an hour on the N3 near Warden)

Road deaths per province:

KwaZulu Natal: 162

Gauteng: 125

Limpopo: 89

Eastern Cape: 89

Mpumalanga: 82

Western Cape: 81

Free State: 78

North West: 57

Northern Cape: 24