More than 2 000 drunk drivers arrested

17 December 2009

According to preliminary reports, 448 deaths (126 drivers, 184 passengers and 134 pedestrians) were recorded on South Africa’s roads as a result of 335 fatal crashes, for the period 1 to 16 December.

And in yet another horrific collision on the N2 near Nyoni in KwaZulu-Natal this morning, 17 December 2009, seven people were reported killed in a crash between a bakkie and a truck.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele visited the scene of the crash and warned that enforcement on bakkies conveying passengers will be intensified.

“We want to convey our condolences to those killed in road crashes since the start of the festive season and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. I visited the scene of this morning’s crash near Nyoni in KwaZulu-Natal and what we saw was gruesome. This is yet again an unnecessary loss of lives. This is the second horrific road crash in just two days in KwaZulu-Natal involving a bakkie.

Bakkies were never primarily designed for the conveyance of passengers. We have called upon law enforcement officials to intensify enforcement on bakkies carrying passengers. We also want to repeat our call to public transport operators, particularly bus and taxi operators, to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and not to put profit above the lives of innocent commuters,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, more than 300 000 vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked and more than 2 000 drunk drivers arrested on South Africa’s roads since 1 December, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety campaign.

Of the 2 000 drivers arrested for drinking and driving, more than 500 were arrested in the Eastern Cape alone and a further 320 in KwaZulu-Natal. The Western Cape yesterday launched the Safely Home Anti-Drunk Driving Operations War Room (SHADOW).

Since 1 December, 73 motorists were arrested for reckless and negligent driving. More than 150 buses and 50 taxis have been removed from roads in the Eastern Cape. In Gauteng, at least 50 buses and 70 taxis were removed from the roads. In KwaZulu-Natal, 423 vehicles that are not road worthy have been taken off the roads. Thousands of motorists were fined for speeding, not wearing seatbelts and other offences. The highest speed recorded was 238 kilometres per hour in KwaZulu-Natal where a motorcyclist was sentenced to a fine of R18 000.

Minister Ndebele has welcomed these arrests and warned motorists that traffic law enforcement will be stepped up in the next few days.

“We welcome the arrests and expect more arrests in the coming days as traffic volumes increase and traffic law enforcement is stepped up. When we say zero tolerance for all traffic offences, we mean just that. Law enforcement officers will stop and check no less than one million vehicles and drivers between December and January and you may be one of them. You have been warned; if you commit any traffic offence you will be caught and will face the full might of the law.

“We have spent billions of rands as well as other resources on engineering and education. From now on, it is going to be ENFORCEMENT, ENFORCEMENT and ENFORCEMENT. With the introduction of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) and the points demerit system next year, a driving licence will no longer be a lethal weapon. AARTO will change the life-time right of having a driving licence to a privilege which drivers must earn by remaining within the law.

“During this festive season, in 2010 and beyond, our message is simple: Obey the law! Obey the law! Obey the law! If you obey the law, you will never drink and drive, drive recklessly, break speed limits or drive vehicles that are not roadworthy. If you obey the law, you will not drive an unlicensed taxi, drive without a licence or overload. Just obey the law!” the minister said.

Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. All road users are encouraged to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.

Enquiries:

Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050

Issued by: Department of Transport
17 December 2009