AS the festive season is upon us, Buffalo City is making plans to keep visitors and tourists safe during their stay.

The municipality’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Services are set to ensure traffic safety and maintain order during this time of festivities.

“In the last two weekends, our law enforcement officials have been holding a roadblock blitz across the city in joint operations with their provincial counterparts and the South African Police Service,” reads a press statement.

The City also has begun a campaign against drunken driving which has thus far netted over 200 motorists.

“In this regard, our law enforcement officials are set to intensify these roadblocks as the influx of vehicles from outside the city increases,” says municipal spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya.

In the next few weeks, these safety campaigns will target buses, all unroadworthy vehicles including private vehicles and public transport vehicles.

The City’s bus clampdown campaign has in recent weeks seen over 90 buses tested “with 59 of those suspended and at least 26 issued with repair and produce notices, only 13 busses passed”.

City traffic officials will be arresting those drivers that have outstanding warrants and drive vehicles that have swiped number plates. “This is in the wake of an increase in crimes committed by vehicles that have illegally fitted or no number plates,” reads a press statement.

“Passengers within the city and law-abiding motorists can rest assured that we will once again deliver a safer festive season,” says Traffic and Law Enforcement commander, Bernie Martin.

To cope with this year’s safety campaign, 16 traffic officers recently received training in heavy motor vehicles and 20 had to undergo extensive training in Sweden on emergency services and multi-agency planning.

In addition, the City also acquired a R2-million fleet of 2lt Mercedes vitto power vehicles to meet the demands of the working conditions under which they will be used.

According to the press statement, these include two vehicles that are unmarked and fitted with video cameras that will enable them to capture moving violations.

The City will release maps and information on road closures in due course.