SIX people were arrested for drunk driving on the M41 going towards uMhlanga in a joint operation between the Durban North SAPS and the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) on Friday night. One driver who was arrested for drunk driving threw his keys into the bushes in the hopes of avoiding prosecution confirmed Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS. His car had to be towed back to the station as police, nor the driver could find the keys.
“He had pulled over on to the yellow line and our officers spotted him throwing his keys into the bushes. He then sat back in the drivers seat and when questioned, claimed his friend, who was nowhere to be found, was driving. Another driver who was arrested for being two times over the limit said she was a single mother and was trying to get home to relieve the babysitter.
Police used passive testers looking for the presence of alcohol on the breath.
“I understand people want to unwind, however, not when it endangers other road users. One of our officers was almost mowed down by an alleged drunk driver. He drove through our cones as we were setting up and almost to took out our officer who dived for cover. We gave chase but lost the vehicle on Umhlanga Rocks Drive. All of the drivers feigned ignorance tonight and begged for leniency, one motorist told us to go after real criminals. This is a warning to drivers, if you do decide to drive intoxicated, you will be arrested, no excuses,” he said.
Of concern to police was that some motorists made illegal U-turns and attempted to drive back down the one-way towards the M4. Two cars were abandoned on the night, and Northglen News witnessed one driver, park on the yellow line, and casually walk on to the opposite side M41.
