As thousands of travellers prepare to hit the road next week, the City’s Traffic Service will once again offer free vehicle checks for long distance public transport operators, under the auspices of Operation Exodus.

Operation Exodus is an annual vehicle safety awareness campaign hosted by the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Service.

Public transport operators can take their vehicles to the Joe Gqabi Driving Licence Testing Centre and Bellville Traffic Department from Monday, 12 December until Friday, 23 December 2022.

The City appeals to operators to bring their vehicles for the free safety check, where qualified vehicle examiners will check roadworthiness and advise the operator what repairs are required, if any.

‘This is not a roadworthy certification, but merely a safety check to ensure passengers get to their destination safely. Drivers will not be penalised either for any defects that might be detected. The intention is to guide them on the path to compliance, peace of mind and the safety of their passengers.

‘Recently, our Traffic Service impounded two buses that were heading to Zimbabwe. These vehicles were in no condition to take on such a long journey, and the owners put the lives of the dozens of people looking to get home for the holidays at risk. I want to appeal to transport operators to do right by their customers. Too often, the holiday season is marred by road accidents with multiple casualties because of driver or vehicle fitness. By submitting to the services offered under the auspices of Operation Exodus, you can make a meaningful change this festive season,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In addition to the free vehicle checks, vehicle checkpoints will be set up around public transport interchanges to check outbound taxis and buses.

Road users are also advised to drive with their headlights on so that they can be more visible to oncoming traffic, to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and loss of concentration, and to refrain from drinking and driving.

Closer to home, the City’s enforcement agencies will also conduct roadblocks and vehicle checks to ensure the safety of the motoring public at large.

The recently launched Highway Patrol Unit has also added a much needed boost to the visibility on major routes, where their Metro Police counterparts have already been doing very good work in safeguarding motorists – particularly on the N2 and R300.

‘While Operation Exodus focuses specifically on long distance public transport operators, the rules apply to everyone. It is the responsibility of every motorist to ensure that they are fit to be behind the wheel of a vehicle, but also that it is mechanically sound and can get them and their passengers from one point to the next safely. Many of our highway breakdowns are due to mechanical faults or people running out of petrol. If you’re unsure about whether your vehicle can go the distance, rather find an alternative, or stay put,’ added Alderman Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town