Latest news with #RoadTrafficManagementCorporation
IOL News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
923 killed last June - RTMC warns youth ahead of long weekend
The Road Traffic Management Corporation urges young drivers to reduce speed, avoid drinking and driving, and maintain safe distances this Youth Month The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged young people to exercise extreme caution on South Africa's roads as the Youth Day long weekend and school winter holidays approach. In a road safety awareness drive launched this June, the RTMC is calling on youth to take active steps to protect their lives and those of others during a period historically marked by high road fatality rates. Over the past four years, road fatalities during June have averaged 1,044 deaths annually. Although fatalities decreased to 833 in June 2023, this figure climbed again to 923 in 2024. "Worryingly, trends show that young people aged 20 to 39 make up more than half of daily road crash fatalities in South Africa", the RTMC said in a statement. RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane, warns that "the most common type of crash relates to accidents with pedestrians, hit and run type of accidents and single vehicle overturn and head on collisions", trends they are working to change drastically.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
RTMC warns motorists en route Comrades to drive safe
RTMC says law enforcement officials will ensure motorists experience minimal to no incidents over the weekend. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists travelling to the Comrades Marathon this weekend to exercise extreme caution given the icy weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (Saws). The 95th instalment of the race – which is a downhill run – will take place in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday, starting from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Conditions on the N3 As runners and supporters make their way to KZN, RTMC chief communication officer Simon Zwane warns the N3 road between Johannesburg and Durban could be affected by misty conditions around Van Reenan Pass to Hilton. 'The Harrismith and Pietermaritzburg areas usually experience dense mist around this time of the year, and motorists are urged to be cautious as traffic volumes are expected to peak on the N3 from [Friday] and on Sunday when most runners will be returning,' Zwane said in a statement. 'Law enforcement authorities from Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, including the National Traffic Police (NTP) from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and key road safety stakeholders such as [the N3 Toll Route], will ensure that motorists experience minimal to no incidents heading to the Comrades Marathon,' Zwane added. On Thursday, the weather service warned of a spell of extreme weather starting this weekend, with snowfall possible in all provinces except Limpopo. ALSO READ: Comrades Marathon: Top five men's and women's contenders Icy weather across SA 'In the coming days, a particularly intense Cut-Off Low (COL) system, associated with severe and extreme winter weather, is expected to affect South Africa, persisting over the country until at least the middle of next week over the eastern provinces,' Saws said. Runners can expect predominantly mild to warm and windy conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies on Sunday. However, they should be aware of a cool change in the weather later in the day, introducing colder, more moist conditions to the coast and adjacent interior. The RTMC urges motorists to: Obey all road traffic rules and regulations Exercise patience at traffic operations and construction sites on the N3 route Be prepared and polite when stopped by law enforcement authorities NOW READ: OPINION: Comrades queen Gerda Steyn faces a battle against Irvette van Zyl
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
'Winter roads can be deadly': RTMC warns drivers during Youth Month
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged drivers, particularly young people, to be responsible and vigilant on the roads as winter arrives with snow and bad weather in parts of the country. In the past four years, fatalities during June, Youth Month, averaged 1,044 a year. 'We urge young people to be responsible and save lives by reducing speed and avoiding drunk driving, especially on weekends between 5pm to 9pm when most fatalities occur,' said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane. According to the RTMC there were 923 road fatalities in June last year. 'We urge young people to check their vehicle tyres and ensure they have [a] tread depth of [at least] 1.6mm, as grip starts to reduce under 3mm,' Zwane said.
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New digital learner's licence test introduced in Western Cape
The Western Cape mobility department on Monday launched a computerised learner's licence testing (CLLT) system at the Beaufort West driving licence testing centre (DLTC.) A live demonstration of the new testing system, which replaces the traditional manual booklet method, was held. The innovation is being rolled out in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and aims to improve the quality of drivers on Western Cape roads. Benefits include: promoting safer and more responsible driving through standardised testing; reducing opportunities for corruption; supporting hearing-impaired applicants with on-screen multilingual instructions to eliminate the need for an interpreter; and delivering faster, more accurate results through instant digital processing. It is set to transform the learner's licence testing process across the Western Cape, and follows other regions that have adopted the shift to digital testing. The testing terminals, each secured with fingerprint verification, connect directly to the National Traffic Information System and generate randomised test questions. Results are automatically verified and securely processed, which improves accuracy and data integrity. The CLLT classroom includes fully networked work stations, touchscreen kiosks and a 6kVA uninterrupted power supply to maintain continuity during electricity outages. All provincial driving licence testing centres outside the metro have been equipped with the new CLLT system, with the Western Cape mobility department engaging the City of Cape Town regarding its rollout of the system. All provinces have rolled out the system, but not all stations have adopted it yet. 'If we are to grow our economy and create more jobs, we need to ensure our residents have the skills they need to participate in the economy,' said Western Cape mobility MEC Isaac Sileku. 'A driver's licence is a critical requirement for many jobs, so we must make getting one as easy as possible for all our residents. The digital shift is a big step towards safer roads and a stronger economy. This is not only a technological upgrade, it's a values-driven transformation. 'The system ensures every applicant, regardless of ability, is treated with fairness and dignity,' said Sileku.
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New digital learner's licence test introduced in Beaufort West
The Western Cape mobility department on Monday launched a computerised learner's licence testing (CLLT) system at the Beaufort West driving licence testing centre (DLTC.) A live demonstration of the new testing system, which replaces the traditional manual booklet method, was held. The innovation is being rolled out in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and aims to improve the quality of drivers on Western Cape roads. Benefits include promoting safer and more responsible driving through standardised testing, reducing opportunities for corruption, supporting hearing-impaired applicants with on-screen multilingual instructions to eliminate the need for an interpreter, and delivering faster, more accurate results through instant digital processing. It is set to transform the learner's licence testing process across the Western Cape, and follows other regions that have adopted the shift to digital testing. The testing terminals, each secured with fingerprint verification, connect directly to the National Traffic Information System and generate randomised test questions. Results are automatically verified and securely processed, which improves accuracy and data integrity. The CLLT classroom includes fully networked work stations, touchscreen kiosks and a 6kVA uninterrupted power supply to maintain continuity during electricity outages. All provincial driving licence testing centres outside the metro have been equipped with the new CLLT system, with the Western Cape mobility department engaging the City of Cape Town regarding its rollout of the system. All provinces have rolled out the system, but not all stations have adopted it yet. 'If we are to grow our economy and create more jobs, we need to ensure our residents have the skills they need to participate in the economy. 'A driver's licence is a critical requirement for many jobs, so we must make getting one as easy as possible for all our residents,' said Western Cape mobility MEC Isaac Sileku.
