METRO Police head, Steve Middleton, has announced the police will not be using breathalysers at roadblocks for fear of spreading Coronavirus.
Middleton’s announcement was reportedly made via a widely- circulated voice note, and he took to social media on Friday to confirm the statement.
In his message, Middleton said he was aware that his voice note had gone viral and confirmed he would be making a report to the media regarding this soon.
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He said: “As the legislated head of Durban Metro Police, I felt in the interests of both members of our service and the community at large to place an immediate moratorium on the use of alcohol breatherlysers at all roadblocks. This in no way negates the enforcement practice for the infringement of drunken driving or driving under the influence, but reduces risk to life and limb we currently face aligned to the spread of the the Coronavirus.”
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Responding to the news, Capt Muzi Maphumulo, eThekwini Police Spokesperson, said the SAPS will still charge people who drive under influence of alcohol.
“The community is hereby warned that roadblock operations and stopping of vehicles will still be carried out to check roadworthiness and the rate of alcohol in drivers’ systems. Blood will still be drawn as a measure to check the alcohol limit of the blood of a driver. Those who contravene the Road Traffic Act by driving under the influence of alcohol will face the full might of the law,” he said.
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