Traffic Officer Career Information in South Africa

The main purpose of the Traffic Officer 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?

The two main categories of traffic officers commonly found across the country are the Provincial Traffic Officers and the Municipal Traffic Officers. Provincial Traffic Officers enforce their laws within the regions of Provinces while Municipal Traffic Warden enforces their laws within regions of Municipality. The other designation of the Provincial Traffic Officers is the Provincial Inspectors. They ensure that people adhere to the National Road Traffic Act, National Land Transport Act, as well Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act. They direct traffic they check vehicles for their mechanical condition on roads and they ensure that road traffic signs and the laws governing roads are adhered to.

WHAT WILL THE WORKPLACE BE LIKE?

Inspectors and Traffic officers were seen most of their working time on the road because of the nature of the Government job. Some limited interaction with courts and offices is observed in their administrative tasks. They perform their patrol activities mostly in motor cars and in some cases on motor bicycles and foot.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF THIS CAREER?

Advantages: Applicants: interact with different people and guide them to adhere to traffic rules, contributing to the prevention of road accidents and thus, helping to save 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 of all must be an employee of a Provincial Government, Municipality, or Government Agency for instance the Road Traffic Management Corporation or Cross Borders Road Transport Agency. The said Authorities may advertise the vacant post in any Open Media. Another way is to participate in the Traffic Officer Learnership to gain full experience and enter full employment.

Therefore have to read your regional and national newspapers frequently. You can also approach any Local or Provincial Authority and inquire if there are openings, or if there are posts that are waiting to be filled.

BASIC 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

TRAFFIC OFFICER SALARY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Traffic officers are getting more and more recognition in South Africa, which is why more and more people are aspiring to enter this field. An average traffic officer earns around R18 600 every month. If you are interested in this profession, here is a complete guide on the traffic officer salary in South Africa.

WHERE DO I TRAIN AS A TRAFFIC OFFICER?

When you have been hired as a Traffic Officer/ Traffic Trainee, you are posted to any one of the 14 Traffic Colleges that have been accredited by the Minister of Transport. It is only these Traffic Colleges and Metro Police Academies that may at the moment accredit train Traffic Officers in South Africa.

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 Department Academy

Cape Town - Western Cape

(021) 447 2366

14. Mpumalanga Traffic Training College

Hazyview - Mpumalanga

013 766 7292

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRAFFIC OFFICER

The primary responsibility of a traffic officer or cop is to maintain the flow of traffic in busy areas of the city. Here is a list of duties he is required to perform in this job.

Overseeing roadside activities while being observant

Working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and units in the city

Investigation the road offenses and crimes

Managing road closure and preventing road closures

Maintaining the safety protocol on the road

Guiding people to follow the safety guidelines on the road

Reducing road congestion

DIFFERENT BETWEEN METRO POLICE OFFICER AND TRAFFIC OFFICER

Metro Police Officers are trained as Traffic Officers and on certain functions of Police Officers. To become a Metro Police Officer one has to be trained and accredited as a traffic officer. Apart from performing all their tasks concerning being Traffic Officers; the Metro Police Officers also combat crime & enforce Municipal by-laws.

WARNING

As for the case of Training fees to Traffic College, it should be noted that the Local or Provincial Authorities normally transfer the amount electronically. Learners should be careful not to pay any person money to ‘book a space’ in a Traffic Training College. Candidates are encouraged to confirm, that the Colleges that they intend to use for the Basic Traffic Officer’s Course are duly registered, accredited, and approved in terms of The National Road Traffic Act. For further information, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) may be contacted by telephone number 012 999 5200 or visit our website at www.rtmc.co.za.

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

Phone RTMC’s Call center Number: 0861 400 800 (Not toll-free) with full particulars of the vehicle and its location.

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