JOHANNESBURG - Traffic authorities are out in force, keeping a close eye on motorists and pedestrians.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said national, provincial and police traffic officers have been deployed across the country, with drunk driving operations also planned in residential areas.
Spokesperson Simon Zwane urged motorists to slow down, stay sober and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
"We have deployed the national traffic policies on the roads. The SAPS is on the roads. Provincial traffic departments are also on the roads, where we're monitoring those roads.
Later on, we'll also be getting inside of the residential areas because we know it's Heritage Day.
"People say weekend enkulu, they're going to parks, they will be drinking and they'll drive. We will conduct drunk driving operations within residential areas to ensure that we can reduce the number of people who die within residential areas, particularly pedestrians. Pedestrians constitute about 40% of people who are dying on the roads.
"We want to bring that number down. We are very big on pedestrian safety this year. We want to advise the motorists to please respect the speed limits. Don't use alcohol and be on the lookout for pedestrians."