10 December 2007
Tshwane: Three hundred and sixteen (316) motorists have been arrested for
drunk-driving since the beginning of December 2007. This follows an intensified
law enforcement campaign launched by Minister Radebe for the safer festive
season. The law enforcement officers are on high alert to deal with every
offence with the seriousness it deserves - in order to ensure safety of law
abiding road users and reduce the road carnage on South Africa's roads.
Since 1 December 2007, figures from the SAPS indicate that the road carnage
has claimed 275 lives from 230 crashes involving 65 drivers, 84 passengers and
126 pedestrians. The provincial breakdown is as follows; GP 62, EC 38, MP 36,
KZN 35, WC 29, NW 27, FS 25, Lim 20, NC 3. Without preventative measures taken
by traffic authorities the situation could have been far much worse. However,
Government is extremely concerned about this situation, and therefore calls for
tolerance and patience as many holidaymakers have begun their trips to holiday
destinations.
This festive season has seen a big increase in the driver population from 7
950 000 last year to 8 000 000 this year. As we take tougher measures, traffic
authorities will impound un-roadworthy vehicles - taxis, buses and bakkies and
arrest drunk drivers and those who have not paid their traffic fines. Every
traffic violation could constitute a potentially life threatening
situation.
Road users are therefore urged to obey the traffic rules, or face the full
might of the law:
* Adhere to the prescribed speed limits - as 10% lower speed will reduce
fatalities by 40 percent;
* Wear seatbelt as increasing the wearing rate by just 2 % we can save more
than 200 lives per annum - seatbelts save lives;
* Not drink and drive/walk as 50 percent of people (drivers and pedestrians)
who die in road crashes have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) above 0.05;
* Rest as fatigue is a silent killer - the majority of overturned (single)
vehicles are attributed to fatigue;
* Ensure that vehicles comply with the roadworthiness regulations;
Media contacts:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Ntau Letebele
Cell: 082 923 9194
Issued by: Department of Transport
10 December 2007
Source: SAPA
