4. Traffic Management

The objective of the programme is to ensure adequate road safety engineering on the provincial roads and ensure that all vehicles registered in the province are licensed each year and that all drivers are appropriately authorized to drive their vehicles while also promoting road safety awareness.  

Sub-programme 

4.1  Programme Support  

Manage the resources of the program efficiently; develop an enabling and supportive environment in order to achieve the key result areas as stipulated in each sub-Programme. 

4.2 Safety Engineering  

The Department proceeded with its efforts to address aspects of the road environment affecting traffic safety by conducting road safety audits on a further 250 km of trunk and main roads in the Province. Road signage to promote tourism routes throughout the Province has been implemented in partnership with Eastern Cape Tourism Board.. A Strategy to improve other road traffic signs has been prepared. The implementation of a system of monitoring traffic flows on provincial roads has continued. 

4.3 Traffic Law Enforcement  

Law enforcement deals with all the issues that are meant to instill the culture of obedience to all road users by enforcing the provisions of the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996). It is intended to maintain law and order on our roads by effecting sanctions or punishment to offenders. Law enforcement is executed by traffic officers in all six districts. In each district there are a number of traffic stations that are charged with the execution of traffic law enforcement. 

4.4 Road Safety Education

The main aim of this sub-programme is to facilitate and promote Traffic Safety in the Province of Eastern Cape. The Sub-Programme is divided into two components, namely:  

• Traffic Safety Education  - To facilitate and promote traffic safety education and mass communication programs and projects    
• Community Education  - To implement and monitor community based programs  

4.5 Traffic Administration and Licensing  

The Department is responsible for the appointment of registering authorities that deal with the function of registration and licensing of motor vehicles.  

4.6 Overload Control  

The problem of overloading by heavy haulage trucks is a cause for concern as it damages the road pavement layers and surface. There are only two Provincial Traffic Control Centres in the Province - at Mthatha and Kinkelbos. The Department is responsible for the roads budget and therefore the construction of Traffic Control Centres.