Bloemfontein - The Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport has set a target of testing at least 100 000 vehicles for roadworthiness during October, which is Transport Month.
The 100 000 vehicles will contribute towards the one million target set by the national Department of Transport.
The campaign kicked off with a roadblock on the N8 highway on Monday.
These roadblocks will check driver and vehicle fitness. Alcohol and drug use, moving violations and road safety education will be reinforced, Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Thabo Manyoni explained.
Legal, safe drivers on roads
Manyoni said: "We want to ensure only legal drivers and safe vehicles are on the roads and that road fatalities are kept to a minimum."
He said inspections will begin close to home. They will first start checking the roadworthiness of government vehicles and employees before moving on to the general public.
Manyoni said that province was centrally positioned in the country and it was important to test the many vehicles which pass through on the province's roads.
No leniency
The MEC emphasised that there would be no leniency for reckless road users and road users, both on foot or behind the wheel, who abuse alcohol would be called to order.
The department will also be working tirelessly to ensure the province's roads are up to scratch during Transport Month. Work has already begun on 11 of the 23 roads identified for restoration. The progress of these roads will be inspected too.
The department will also donate bicycles to rural communities to address their mobility challenges and host a bicycle tour.
