Road blitz sees thousands fined for speeding

More than 840 people were killed and more than 280 000 drivers were fined for speeding on South African roads since the beginning of December holidays, the Department of Transport said on Sunday.

Spokesperson Logan Maistry said in a statement that 200 other drivers were also arrested for reckless and negligent driving.

Preliminary reports also showed that of the 840 people killed in 654 crashes recorded across the country, 218 were drivers, 327 were passengers and 295 were pedestrians.

Maistry said the thousands of arrests and fines since December 1 as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign was a warning to other drivers that they will be caught and punished for traffic offences.

He also warned that from next year, when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) and the Points Demerit System will be introduced, drivers who disregard the law will also then forfeit their licences. - Sapa