The graduation of 133 traffic officers has given road safety efforts a massive boost. The graduation ceremony took place yesterday at the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell. It marks the culmination of a rigorous 12-month training program aimed at equipping recruits with the skills and knowledge required to enforce traffic laws, manage incidents and ensure road safety across the Western Cape.
The graduation of 133 traffic officers has given road safety efforts a massive boost
Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku says the graduation will further strengthen road safety efforts during the upcoming festive season. He has commended the graduates for their hard work and dedication.
He added, ” I am confident their deployment will contribute to safer roads and save lives.”
The MEC stated that the graduation marked a major milestone not only in the lives of those Traffic Officers but also in their ongoing efforts to enhance road safety in the Western Cape.
Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku
Meanwhile, Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, said that these Provincial Traffic Officers will go a long way in bolstering road safety efforts by covering as much of the road network as possible, especially over the festive season.
Winde elaborated, “As hard as these women and men will be working to keep all road users safe, motorists and pedestrians also need to be aware of their role and responsibilities.”
He added that they are so more than traffic officials and that they should see themselves as part of our broader safety and security network. He says they too play an important part in keeping communities safe from crime.
Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde
Sileku has again appealed to residents and visitors to work with them and to practice responsible road use behaviour. This, he says, will ensure that all of us and our loved ones will get to our destinations safely. He says the graduation of these officers is particularly significant as the Western Cape enters the festive season. It is a time of increased travel and heightened road safety risks. The MEC says the new recruits will be deployed across the province and will bolster law enforcement capacity, thus ensuring safer journeys for all road users.
Specialised training
A spokesperson for the Department, Muneera Allie says the training programme encompassed 30-unit standards as part of the Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC) in Road Traffic Law Enforcement. These standards include critical areas such as the National Road Traffic Act, AARTO, crash scene management, incident management systems and anti-corruption practices.
In addition, the Officers received specialised training in:
Dangerous goods handling
Firearms control
Tactical stops and approaches
Restraining techniques
Ethics and wellness
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Allie says the training has equipped the officers with the skills to respond effectively to the challenges of modern traffic law enforcement, especially during the busy festive season.
Modern traffic technology
She says learners were also introduced to modern traffic technology, such as handheld devices. This forms part of the province’s commitment to modernise traffic enforcement. The call has been put out for citizens to behave responsibly on the roads. This will help everyone reach their destinations safely.
READ MORE: Western Cape Government Hosts Graduation Ceremony for Newly Qualified Traffic Officers
