Mthatha’s drunk driving shame: Over 100 people nabbed in two weekends
Traffic officers arrested 109 drunk drivers in the Eastern Cape. The arrests reportedly occurred in Mthatha over a period of two weekends.
Over two weekends, a staggering 109 people were arrested on Mthatha roads for drunk driving. The arrests were reportedly made on the weekends of 27 March and 20 March. Eastern Cape Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe said the impact of drunk drivers is immense.
“The impact of drunk drivers on often fatal road crashes in the province is immense. Our plea is for road users’ cooperation at all times.”
DRUNK DRIVERS ARRESTED DURING EASTER SAFETY CAMPAIGN
The Eastern Cape Transport Department launched their Arrive Alive Easter campaign at the N9/R 61 junction in Aberdeen on Friday 26 March. During the launch, officials arrested a truck driver for alleged drunk driving.
“A truck driver was arrested for drunken driving as the Eastern Cape Department of Transport launched its Easter 2021 Arrive Alive Campaign in Aberdeen at the N9/R61 junction today. His assistant driver was just as drunk. They had alcohol in their vehicle as well.”
The truck driver’s blood alcohol levels were reportedly confirmed with a blood test.
The launch of the campaign comes after a successful operation at the OR Tambo District, where a total of 54 drunk drivers were arrested. Among the arrests reported were “police officers, doctors, taxi drivers, teachers, soldiers and attorney”.
TRAFFIC OFFICERS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON ROADS
MEC Tikana-Gxothiwe said authorities will be keeping a close eye on major routes across the province this Easter.
“The culture of drunken drivers on our roads is one of the complex challenges facing us, and one of the highest contributory factors to road fatalities on our roads. We have to commend our officers for their proactive stance, for we believe that it has certainly saved dozens of lives from possible life altering or even fatal accidents.”
At the launch, officers collected over R50 000 in outstanding fines and issued new fines of over R40 000 over a three-hour period.
Meanwhile, traffic officers will be issued with body cameras to “support them in evidence gathering and improve the conviction rate for violations of traffic laws”.
The announcement was made in the North West on Monday 29 March, where the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula kicked off the 2021 Easter Road Safety campaign to promote responsible road use during Easter.