Reports have indicated that there is a critical shortage of traffic officers in the road safety industry. Traffic departments and agencies are severely understaffed which creates a significant problem as road casualties are in the limelight.
Traffic officers have to monitor the behaviour of road users. They need to be on the alert for intoxicated, reckless or negligent road users and ensure motorists have valid permits and documentation.
Road agencies are in desperate need of trained professionals to deal with the issues that exist on our roads. Road carnage costs South Africa’s economy billions each year, all of which can be reduced with focused educational efforts.
For every 100 000 people there are an approximated 22-26 people who die annually on South African roads, and many more who are seriously injured. The causes of these deaths are mainly due to the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signs.
A qualification in the traffic policing field affords you various opportunities for growth in the industry. This is a career that offers stability and benefits such as a good salary package with bonuses and retirement payouts.
According to Salary Expert, as a traffic manager, you could earn from about R235 000 per year at entry level, to up to almost R400 000 per year at senior level. The job has flexible working hours where you can work 4 days in the week and have days off to enjoy family life and other activities.
You will need a South African citizenship, Grade 12 or equivalent, no criminal record, Code B driver’s license (manual transmission) and a medical certificate with a clean bill of health to be eligible for a career as a traffic officer. However, with proper traffic police training and certification, you will be equipped with the skills needed in the industry and have access to more opportunities.
You can work for the government, municipality or any government agency such as the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Cross Border Transport Agency or other national road and transport agencies. This is a career that allows you to positively impact the safety of people on the roads and in the community.
As a traffic officer, you can expect to become a reputable civil servant, dedicated to maintaining the safety of citizens on the roads.
Road safety officers are effective in helping to reduce the number of accidents and deaths that take place on the roads. They are on high alert during the holiday periods where lots of people are travelling to assist in regulating appropriate road procedures.
To do well in this occupation, you must be able to handle the pressure and the demands of being a commander on the road. You should be able to work with people, direct road users, listen and make smart decisions. You should possess good observation skills and be able to solve complex issues on the road when they arise.
As a traffic officer, you need to be up to speed with the laws that road users are required to comply with and ensure that they are practiced. You will have to use logic and reasoning to make quick decisions that won’t risk the lives of people.
It is also expected of you to monitor the behaviour of drivers, check licenses and registrations. This includes being able to detect motorists who are intoxicated to help avoid accidents from occurring. Your overall responsibility is to make the experience of all road users a pleasant one.
With a traffic policing qualification, you could enter into any of the following road traffic careers: Metropolitan Police Officer, Provincial Traffic Inspector, Traffic/Police Officer, or a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer.
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