Mbombela - The Mpumalanga Traffic Intervention Unit (TIU) has scrapped more than 250 unroadworthy vehicles in a one-week operation.
The province-wide operation took place between 24 and 31 October.
"The TIU has removed 264 vehicles off the road because they were not roadworthy. Of the more than 1 000 vehicles stopped, 123 motorists were issued with traffic fines for speeding and 355 drivers were screened for drunk driving, of which 61 were arrested for being over the limit," said provincial Community Safety, Security and Liaison Department spokesperson, Joseph Mabuza, on Wednesday.
Mabuza said the unit also issued 1 029 notices for various traffic violations, including reckless and negligent driving and driving without a valid driver's licence.
"Some of the drivers were fined depending on their offences and some paid the fines as admission of guilt."
Department MEC Vusi Shongwe urged TIU officers not to become complacent but to work even harder to ensure law and order on roads.
Shongwe said he failed to understand why most motorists still drink and drive when it is the cause of so many accidents.
"For this reason, the TIU will continue to work tirelessly to ensure road accidents are reduced," said Shongwe.
The MEC called on the criminal justice system to severely punish drunk drivers. "We must send the wrong doers to jail and even confiscate their driving licences as the country can no longer afford any more of these accidents that claim the lives of our people needlessly," Shongwe said.
