City bolsters road safety

The City of Johannesburg, this past week, welcomed 171 new traffic wardens to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department. The Traffic Wardens are former Extended Public Works Program (EPWP) employees who were previously trained to perform traffic pointsmen duties.
The Department of Public Safety identified the need to capacitate traffic wardens with additional powers in order to allow them to perform at optimum level.
These officers are equipped to enforce by-laws, or issue infringements notices if necessary, and they can also be on point duty. These Traffic Wardens will also, in the future, be able to render their services to the private sector as well.
Motorists in the City of Joburg will certainly have a better driving experience following the graduation of new 171 traffic wardens who are attached to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).
Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba urged them to help restore law and order in the City.
“This is not merely a job but a calling to serve, which will prove along the way to be a thankless one. When you caution an errant motorist or issue a stiff fine to another, you’re likely to be reprimanded as though you are the offending party,” said Mayor Mashaba.
Following discussions with the Gauteng Provincial Government, the new wardens will have additional powers, which include:
• When in uniform, require a driver of any vehicle to stop;
• Regulate and control traffic upon any public road and give such directions as may be necessary;
• Require any person to give their name, address, and other particulars or any process which are required for identification purposes if the traffic warden suspects the person of having committed an offence; and
• In respect of any motor vehicle, demand the owner, operator or driver to produce any documents as may be prescribed in terms of the National Road Traffic Act of 1996.