Driving under the influence of alcohol significantly contributes to a rise in road fatalities. By Sunday, 4 April, Gauteng Traffic Police revealed that more than 40 drivers had been arrested in the province, with the majority of the perpetrators apprehended in Carletonville on the far West Rand.
The arrests came as a result of the Gauteng Traffic Police’s Easter Season Road Safety weekend which came to a close on 5 April. It is believed that even more arrests have been made, but the exact figures are not available yet.
According to Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, despite the heightened law-enforcement activities across the province, Gauteng recorded several fatal crashes resulting in many lives being lost since the start of the Easter weekend.
By Sunday, 4 April, an estimated 30 road users had already lost their lives on Gauteng roads this past Easter weekend.
Most of these fatalities were as a result of drunk driving, unsafe overtaking, driving at excessive speed, passenger overloading, and pedestrians jaywalking on major freeways.
“The Gauteng Traffic Police together with various traffic authorities continued to conduct various road safety operations across the province in an effort to save the lives of road users as the Easter weekend came to an end. These activities were expected to assist in ensuring the reduction of road accidents within the province,” said Maremane.
“Police will continue to be visible on Gauteng major freeways, and patrolling will be intensified to ensure that road users comply with the rules of the road. Lastly, drivers are urged to be vigilant, patient and to adhere to road safety rules and regulations,’’ added Maremane.
