No mercy for drunk drivers

New strategies are required to combat alcohol use by road users, according to the Automobile Association (AA).

“The current strategy has not yielded results, tougher action is needed,” says the association.

The AA says the Department of Transport could not rely on slow changes in social attitudes to alcohol and road use, commenting that these did not happen fast enough to prevent a substantial number of road deaths.

“Despite changes in social attitudes, the rate of positive tests for alcohol in people killed in traffic crashes rose sharply in the first decade of the new millennium,” the AA claims.

“This suggests that many road users are escaping both the enforcement and messaging nets when it comes to alcohol.”

Licensing corruption was highlighted as a potential contributor to the problem.

The AA says that a driver who bought or forged their licence had started their driving career in an unlawful way.

“Such drivers are less likely to understand their legal responsibilities on the roads and they may not be fully aware of the risks of drinking and driving,” says the AA.

They also say that the current level of enforcement is not adequate for the scale of the problem.

Approximately 3 000 cases of driving under the influence (DUI) are opened each month, against a driving population believed to be greater than nine million.

“A nationwide strategy for law enforcement is needed, and every major roadblock should routinely include secondary roadblocks on surrounding ‘back roads’ which drivers may use for avoidance,” says the AA.

“South Africa’s population is extraordinarily diverse in terms of cultures, languages and education levels.

“Our concern is whether all South Africans have access to information on alcohol and traffic in a form they can both understand and use.”

The association concludes by saying: “It is possible that re-prioritising existing spend would be adequate in most cases.”

Capt Johannes Ramphora, spokesman for the Springs police, says there will be no mercy for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol during the December holidays.

“We usually have many cases of DUI during the holidays,” he says.

“People are driving after parties and braais while under the influence, and that’s where the problem comes in.”

He adds that police have a plan in motion where they will conduct operations at night and says police visibility will increase.

“The problem roads include Paul Kruger Highway, Nigel Road and the R554 which heads into Wright Park,” he says.

Ramphora concludes by saying: “We will show no mercy, you will be arrested immediately and face the consequences.”