KEY POINTS
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A Mercedes-Benz driver was arrested for traveling at 176km/h in a 120km/h zone near Bela-Bela, as Limpopo authorities intensify road safety efforts.
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Multiple drivers were caught attempting to bribe traffic officers during Easter operations, highlighting a rise in both reckless driving and corruption.
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Two Volkswagen drivers were also arrested for speeding at over 180km/h, prompting renewed calls for stricter penalties and public safety reforms.
Limpopo’s ongoing road safety campaign intensified this week with the arrest of a 34-year-old Mercedes-Benz driver caught speeding at 176km/h in a 120km/h zone on the N1 near Bela-Bela.
The speeding incident, which occurred early Wednesday morning, has become part of a wider crackdown on reckless driving and corruption on South Africa’s roads, particularly during and after the Easter travel period.
The Department of Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo confirmed the arrest in an official statement: “Early morning justice caught up with a driver on April 23, when a 34-year-old man was arrested on the N1 freeway near Bela-Bela, in the Waterberg District, for clocking 176km/h in a 120km/h zone. The driver will face the law at the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court.”
Authorities emphasized that such behavior puts countless lives at risk, reducing drivers’ reaction time and increasing the likelihood of severe or fatal crashes. “Excessive speed endangers everyone,” the department added. “We urge all motorists to consider the devastating impact such behavior can have on families and loved ones.”
Spike in traffic offenses and speeding
The arrest comes amid a troubling trend in the province. Several drivers were caught attempting to bribe officers to evade arrest, prompting concerns over both driver conduct and corruption.
During the Easter holiday period, three intoxicated drivers were arrested after allegedly offering bribes to traffic officers to avoid prosecution for driving under the influence.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) reported that the number of such bribery attempts has increased. In one notable incident, a driver in Mokopane was stopped on Good Friday and allegedly tried to offer a R300 bribe after being caught drunk driving on the N1. Officers from the National Traffic Police made the arrest and filed charges.
These incidents are part of a broader road safety initiative launched during Easter, when traffic volumes traditionally spike.
IOL reports that Authorities have stepped up their presence on key routes, using speed detection, sobriety testing, and vehicle checks to monitor compliance with road safety laws.
Earlier this month, two Volkswagen drivers were also arrested for excessive speeding on the same highway. One VW Polo driver, aged 36, was caught driving at 185km/h near Bela-Bela, while another in a Golf GTI was recorded at 182km/h. The latter was later granted R1,000 bail.
In a statement addressing these ongoing violations, the RTMC urged motorists to be responsible, noting that aggressive driving, speeding, and bribery not only endanger lives but undermine public trust in road enforcement systems.
Transport authorities have credited ongoing road safety campaigns with a reduction in fatal crashes during the Easter weekend, but acknowledged that the rise in high-risk driving behaviors like speeding and attempted bribery remains a challenge.
Public safety advocates have called for harsher penalties and stricter enforcement to curb the growing disregard for traffic laws. “The pattern we are seeing is deeply concerning,” said one road safety expert. “It suggests a culture of impunity that needs to be addressed through both legal and civic channels.”
Officials have indicated that enforcement operations will continue throughout the year, especially on high-risk routes like the N1, which connects major cities and serves as a primary artery for holiday travel.
