A drunken motorist driving a Mercedes Benz Vito was arrested near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape at about 23h00 last night 22 December 2010 with a blood alcohol content of 1.6g/100ml – 32 times over the permissible limit of 0.05g/100ml. Five boys as well as a woman, who were also in the vehicle with 15 sheep allegedly stolen from near-by farms, were also arrested.
From 1 to 21 December 2010, 1,1 million vehicles and drivers were checked; 1 500 drunk drivers arrested with 40 percent of these being female; more than 30 percent of fines issued relate to drivers not being in possession of driving licences or failing to carry driving licences.
As part of South Africa's "Make Roads Safe" campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), from 1 October to 21 December 2010 almost four million (3,979,095) vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked and more than 1,5 million fines issued for various traffic offences. More than 20 000 un-roadworthy vehicles, including several buses and taxis, were discontinued from use. More than 4 000 drunk drivers were arrested. Since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an average of 2000 motorists have been arrested every month for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Thursday, 23 December 2010 KwaZulu-Natal traffic authorities reported at least 16 people killed in a road crash involving a mini-bus and midi-bus on the N2 near Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We want to convey condolences to the families of the more than 860 South Africans who unnecessarily lost their lives on our roads since the start of the festive season, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, let us all go all out to ensure safer roads. Do the right thing – simply obey all road rules and this will save lives on our roads,” Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said.
Minister Ndebele has called on more South Africans to enlist as voluntary traffic observers to win the battle against road deaths.
The minister made the call during his visit yesterday, Wednesday, 22 December 2010 to the Road Traffic Management (RTMC) offices in Pretoria East. At the RTMC Call Centre, Minister Ndebele telephoned 63 year old Ms Denise De Kock from Pinelands in the Western Cape, the latest South African to enlist as a voluntary traffic observer, and congratulated her on her appointment.
“As we head towards the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety from 2011 to 2020, we call upon more South Africans to join Ms Denise De Kock and enlist as voluntary traffic observers. As part of South Africa’s ‘Make Roads Safe’ campaign, more and more citizens must join the global movement for road safety. Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. The battle to put an end to the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads is winnable and we must win,” said the minister.
More information on enlisting as a voluntary traffic observer may be obtained at http://www.rtmc.co.za or from the RTMC call centre on 0861 400 800 (during office hours).
The minister also thanked RTMC staff for all their efforts towards making the country’s roads safe. “We urge each of you to go all out towards ensuring that the RTMC becomes the most important and best institution in South Africa. Every RTMC staff member must be totally committed to saving lives on our roads,” the minister said.
During November 2010, 1,493,574 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 684 739 fines issued and 10 282 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (220 226) were stopped in KwaZulu-Natal.
During October 2010, 1,385,521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 408 650 fines issued and 4 481 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (276 579) were stopped in Gauteng. There were 2 256 drunk driving arrests, of which 930 were in the Western Cape.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
