Traffic Officer’s Career Information

WHY IS THE CAREER OF TRAFFIC OFFICER’S SO IMPORTANT?

Traffic Officer’s enforce the rules of the road and signs.  They ensure that all road users including  pedestrians  use  our  roads  in  an  orderly  and  safe  manner.    The  main  purpose  of Traffic  Officer’s  is  to  ensure  the  safe  and  free  flow  of  traffic  to  prevent  road  crashes  and deaths on our roads.

WHAT DOES ONE DO IN THIS CAREER?

A distinction is made between Provincial Traffic Officers and Municipal Traffic Officers. Provincial Traffic Officers perform their duties within the boundaries of Provinces and Municipal Traffic Officers perform their duties within the boundaries of Municipalities. Provincial Traffic Officers are also known as Provincial Inspectors. They enforce compliance of the National Road Traffic Act, National Land Transport Act and Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act. They control traffic, inspect vehicles for roadworthiness and enforce road traffic signs and rules of the road.

WHAT WILL THE WORKPLACE BE LIKE?

Provincial Inspectors and Traffic Officers spent most of their working hours outdoors on the roads. A small portion of their time is spent in courtrooms and offices doing administrative duties. They do their patrol duties mainly in motorcars and some on motorcycles and on foot.

WHAT INSTRUMENTS, TOOLS OR MATERIALS WILL ONE WORK WITH?

Speed-measuring apparatus, alcohol test apparatus, measuring tapes, mass-measuring apparatus, summons books, infringement notices etc.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DRAWBACKS OF THIS CAREER?

• Advantages: Working with people and helping them to obey traffic rules, assisting to reduce the number of road crashes and thus saving lives.
• Drawbacks: Be able to work with people with various personalities, having to work during holidays and weekends. Performing duties in all weather conditions.

HOW DO I BECOME A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

You first need to be employed by Provincial Government, Municipality or Government Agency such as the Road Traffic Management Corporation or Cross Border Road Transport Agency. Vacant posts are advertised by these Authorities in the Open Media.

You therefore need to check your local and national newspapers on a regular basis. You may also contact any Local or Provincial Authority directly to enquire whether vacancies exist and when posts will be advertised.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

• South African Citizenship
• Grade 12 or equivalent
• No criminal record
• Code B driving Licence (manual transmission)
• Medical Certificate –that a person may do strenuous exercises.
• Applicants shall not be older than 35 years of age

WHERE DO I TRAIN AS A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

Once you are employed as a Traffic Officer/ Traffic Trainee you will be sent to one of the 14 Traffic Colleges approved by the Minister of Transport. Only the following Traffic Colleges and Metro Police Academies may currently train Traffic Officers in South Africa.

NAME	CITY/ PROVINCE	CONTACT NR.
1.   Limpopo Traffic Training College	Polokwane - Limpopo	(015) 967 0467
2.  Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training College	Pretoria - Gauteng	(012) 372 8000
3.   KZN Traffic Training College	Pietermaritzburg - KZN	(033) 394 0202
4.   Lengau Traffic Training College	Bloemfontein - Free State	(051) 409 0444
5.   Mangaung Traffic Training College	Bloemfontein - Free State	(051) 412 8100
6.   Gene Louw Traffic Training College	Cape Town - Western Cape	(021) 983 1501
7.   Durban Metro Police Department Academy	Durban - KZN	(031) 701 0462
8.   Johannesburg Metro Police Department Academy	Johannesburg - Gauteng	(011) 429 5010
9.   Tshwane Metro Police Department Academy	Pretoria - Gauteng	(012) 358 0005
10.  Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Academy	Springs - Gauteng	(011) 812 8700
11.  Port Elizabeth Traffic Training College	Port Elizabeth - Eastern Cape	(041) 390 4501
12.  Matjhabeng Traffic Training College	Welkom - Free State	(051) 876 2224
13. Cape Town Metro Police Deapartment Academy	Cape Town - Western Cape	(021) 447 2366
14. Mpumalanga Traffic Training College	Hazyview - Mpumalanga	013 766 7292

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A METRO POLICE OFFICER AND A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

Metro Police Officers are trained as Traffic Officers and on certain functions of Police Officers. Before you can become a Metro Police Officer you must be trained and registered as a Traffic Officer. In addition to all their duties as Traffic Officers; Metro Police Officers also focus on crime prevention and the enforcement of Municipal by-laws.

CAN I STILL TRAIN ON MY OWN AS A TRAFFIC OFFICER EVEN IF I AM NOT EMPLOYED?

No, however, you can study Traffic Management related courses at various FET Colleges or Universities. These courses should give you an advantage when Authorities advertise Traffic Officers post.

WARNING

It should be noted that the Local or Provincial Authorities normally pay the training fees to the Traffic College electronically. Learners must take caution and not pay any individual to secure “a space” at a Traffic Training College. Applicants are advised to ensure that the Colleges that they use for the Basic Traffic Officer’s Course are fully registered, accredited and approved in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. For further information the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) may be contacted on telephone number 012 999 5200 or visit our website on www.rtmc.co.za.

CAN I BE INVOLVED IN ROAD SAFETY WITHOUT BEING A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

Yes, you can do so by starting to obey all rules of the road yourself. Wear a seatbelt when you are a passenger in a vehicle fitted with seatbelts. Wear bright colour cloths at night when you are a pedestrian and always cross a road at a pedestrian crossing when available.

You can also register as a Voluntary Public Traffic Observer (VPTO) at www.rtmc.co.za. The participation by members of the Public in this project is entirely voluntary-As a voluntary public Traffic Observer (VPTO), you will be required only to observe, record and submit the required information to the RTMC. A VPTO will undertake this voluntary task as inconspicuously as possible, for their own safety and security reasons, and will at no time be entitled to stop and/or confront a suspected or alleged traffic offender - Persons registered as Traffic Observers (VPTOs) will not be compensated in any manner for this voluntary service - VPTOs will not receive privileges of any nature and no special markings for their vehicles will be provided for their own safety and security reasons. Any VPTO wishing to lay formal charges against a fellow road user who committed an offence, must follow the normal procedures and approach their nearest Traffic Authority or Police Station for further advice in this regard.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM A PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER OR THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE ROAD?

Phone the RTMC’s Call centre Number: 0861 400 800 (Not toll free) with full particulars of the vehicle and its location. A Traffic Officer will be requested to assist where possible.

I GRADUATED FROM AN APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZED TERTIARY TRAINING INSTITUTION, WHICH IS PROPERLY REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IT SEEMS AS IF MY DEGREE COURSE IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY METRO POLICE AND TRAFFIC DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY APPOINT PERSONNEL. WHY IS THIS THE CASE AND WHAT MUST I DO?

Firstly, make sure you meet the requirements for the position that you applied for.

All Tertiary Training Institutions, registered with the Department of Higher Education, may develop their own training courses. The Traffic Fraternity is many times consulted to provide input into the curriculums and course content of these courses. The traffic fraternity has no jurisdiction over Tertiary Institutions. Tertiary Institutions enrol students in terms of their own regulations and successful students will graduate with fully recognized Diplomas / Degrees.

All Local Authorities, Provincial and Metro Police Departments are autonomous in regard to appoint of officials to various positions. Each Departments will decide individually on their appointments. Higher qualifications should put you in a better position to compete for employed should you meet the requirements of advertised posts.
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Candidates who meet the entry requirements to advertised posts/internships are encouraged to keep on applying for these positions. Candidates must pay particular attention to how they compile their CV’s and application letters. Interviewing-Shortlisting-Committees disregard many applications due to candidates not completing the application forms properly, not signing when necessary, not certifying documents when necessary, not including all documentation as per the advert, etc.