Transport officials get tough on errant motorists

A total of 284 unroadworthy vehicles have been taken off the Eastern Cape roads by transport authorities since December 1.

Meanwhile around 157 stray animals have also been impounded while 168 warrants of arrest have been issued to motorists for failing to pay outstanding traffic fines.

This was revealed by provincial transport department spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie.

She said the OR Tambo district had the highest number of cars taken off the roads with 208. About 144 of them had their vehicle disks suspended.

Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana meanwhile said they were anticipating huge traffic volumes on the roads leading up to Christmas and New Year's Day. As such, they would have to intensify their road safety campaigns.

"We expect an increase in traffic on those long weekends and we will be on high alert as the risk of road crashes increases," she said. "Our operations will intensify during both weekends."