Drunk drivers suffer thanks to Metro

The Road Traffic Law Enforcement Technical Committee (Letcom) awarded its quarterly shield to Metro police for arresting the most number of drunken drivers over the Easter period.

Metro officers arrested 604 people over the four day period within the Johannesburg metropolitan area. The National Law Enforcement Technical Committee is chaired by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and comprises the traffic operational heads from all nine provinces, six metropolitan police departments as well as the representatives from local traffic departments who meet quarterly to plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate traffic law enforcement operations in the country.

This award was decided on by the members who unanimously agreed that the metropolitan department’s efforts in addressing alcohol abuse among drivers was the most significant for that quarter.

“We are serious about drinking and driving and we are serious about rolling out Operation Tshwara Setagwa (Arrest the Drunkards) in the Johannesburg area. While we are pleased to receive the acknowledgement from the national body, we want to challenge all traffic authorities to show zero tolerance towards this cancer that is killing our road users,” said Metro police chief Chris Ncgobo.

“The RTMC is procuring breath screeners and blood kits to make sure that this fight against drunk drivers is strengthened. Together with our partners across all tiers government, we will combat this scourge” said Letcom chairperson Ashref Ismail.

Details: Report unsafe road usage 0861-400-600.