On Wednesday, 10 December 2014, the Newcastle Municipality Public Safety launched a Help Centre on the N11, which is a National Route. The 10th of December 2014 marked the end of school calendar as schools closed on this day, therefore, it was anticipated that the roads will be busy.
Present at the launch was the local Traffic Department, Fire Department and the senior management from Newcastle Municipality.
The intention of the Help Centre was to :
• Create road safety awareness
• Promote high visibility on the N11 national route
• Establish a centre where motorists can report any incidents with minimum difficulty
• Safety Education
• Create awareness on the fire services summer contingency plan (lightning, severe storms, floods and fires)

It was a first launch and it operated on a 24 hour basis, with Traffic Officials and Firefighting crews creating awareness throughout the night. Another Help Centre will be held on 29th December 2014 at a venue to be determined.

The Newcastle Municipality Public Safety requests all residents to be cautious and considerate when driving on our roads, as offenders will not be tolerated and no stone will be left unturned during this festive period. Traffic Officers will be deployed in all the areas until 31 January 2015.

Residents are requested to report any incidents and emergencies on our emergency contact number, 034 312 1222. This number is fully operational on a 24 hour basis, 365 days per year.

Public Safety wishes all road users a blessed Christmas and safe holidays.