Introduction

Traffic Officers or Traffic COP(s) enforce the rules of the road and signs. They focus almost exclusively on maintaining traffic safety and efficiency on the roads. They ensure that all road users including pedestrians use our roads in an orderly and safe manner.

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Top Keywords about Traffic Cop

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• How do you become a traffic cop?
• Where can I study traffic cop in South Africa?
• How long is the traffic officer course?
• How much do traffic cops earn in SA?

Traffic officers are sworn-in police, but they focus almost exclusively on maintaining traffic safety and efficiency on the roads. This is the focus of their duties, which can include directing traffic, managing accidents, administering federal traffic money, and educating the public on laws and safety guidelines.

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 with 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.

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 foot.

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

• 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 a 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 regularly. 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 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 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 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 regulations and successful students will graduate with fully recognized Diplomas / Degrees.

All Local Authorities and provincial and Metro Police Departments are autonomous regarding the appointment of officials to various positions. Each Department will decide individually on their appointments. Higher qualifications should put you in a better position to compete for employment should you meet the requirements of advertised posts.

Conclusion

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 CVs 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.