Matjatji Mokgolobotho (second from right) received a car seat on Tuesday from Randfontein chief traffic officer Kenny Mampondo and his team
TRAFFIC cops are known for handing out tickets to motorists and pedestrians who fail to obey the rules of the road.
But on Tuesday, motorists on the R28 outside Randfontein, West Rand, and along Flower Road were surprised to see traffic cops handing out gifts.
Six lucky parents who were travelling with their kids but didn’t have car seats received baby car seats for free!
The traffic officers of Rand West City Municipality said it was part of their effort to curb child deaths on the roads.
It is well known that kids who are not harnessed into a car seat are likely to suffer serious injury or death in a car crash.
The traffic cops said the seats were donated to them by the Road Accident Fund.
Randfontein chief traffic officer Kenny Mampondo said car accidents posed serious threats to children, especially those between two and 14 months old.
“Even if the car just suddenly swerves or stops, babies can be seriously injured,” he said.
Mampondo explained to the lucky motorists how to fit the baby car seats.
One overjoyed mum, Matjatji Mokgolobotho (29), who is a professional nurse, said: “This present is not just a gift but a safety measure to ensure my son is safe.”
Tshepo Mapena was left speechless.
“I’m so happy,” was all he could say when he received one for his two-year-old son.
Mampondo said: “We are on the road to ensure that there is no violation of traffic rules.
“We want to urge motorists to be patient as they share roads with other motorists.”
The day’s activities were a continuation of road safety programmes conducted in the region with other role players such as the Randfontein and Westonaria taxi associations.
