THE 81 drunk drivers arrested in KwaZulu-Natal since 1 December have been taken to task by KZN Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli for putting innocent lives at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol.
In a media release this week, the department said the motorist with the highest alcohol content was arrested in Umdloti on Sunday afternoon with an alcohol reading of 1,33mg/l . he was driving a minibus taxi and was 13 times over the legal alcohol limit. A driver of a light motor vehicle was also arrested in Dundee on Friday, 13 December with an alcohol reading of 1,13mg/l, five times over the legal alcohol limit.
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Law enforcement officers have arrested a total of eight motorists for speeding since 1 December with the highest speed clocked at 193 km/h on the N2 in uMkhomazi. The speeding motorist was driving a VW Polo and was granted bail of R3000. The Department said the number of road crashes have decreased from 83 to 68 since 1 December, which represents a 18.07% decrease compared with the same period in 2018, while the number of fatalities also dropped from 115 to 79 during this period, which represents a 31.30% decrease.
MEC Ntuli warned that those who continue to undermine the authority of the state will face the full might of the law as additional law enforcement authorities have been deployed on all major roads as part of the rolling festive season integrated safety plan.
“A large number of traffic officers have been deployed on provincial roads, predominantly covering the N2 and N3 to ensure the maximum safety of motorists. Police visibility has also been intensified. Road Traffic Inspectorate officers are not only going to focus on drunk drivers but will also concentrate on checking the roadworthiness of vehicles, overloading, as well as motorists who use mobile phones while driving. Those who insist on breaking the law and endangering the lives of others will feel the dire consequences of their actions,” said Ntuli.
As of 1 December, a total of 43 706 vehicles were stopped and checked by Road Traffic Inspectorate officers as part of the festive season enforcement plan aimed at promoting safety on provincial roads. Officers issued 3745 written charges for various offences and 967 motorists were charged for clocking up high speeds. Furthermore, 285 motorists were charged for driving without a licence.
Integrated roadblocks are planned throughout the province targeting all degrees of crime including unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, distractive driving, drinking and driving, illegal drugs, illegal firearms and illegal immigrants. MEC Ntuli also said law enforcement agencies will be shutting down all unlicensed liquor outlets in the province. Those with licenses will also be monitored to ensure adherence to license provisions and the law.
