A total of 171 drunken drivers were arrested in the Nelson Mandela Metro by Provincial Traffic Special Operations Task Team from Friday evening at 20h00 to Sunday evening at 22h00.
One person was so drunk, that he went into a coma, and had to be rushed to Livingstone hospital, a second one passed out whilst waiting for his blood sample to be taken.
Those arrested are from various walks of life; amongst them were two school principals, pharmacist, soldier, nurse, and five South African Police Service (SAPS) members. The age group that is featuring prominently 80 percent is between 18 to 35 years.
The highest breath alcohol reading obtained was 1,73 mg/l which is seven times over the legal limit of 0.24 mg/l in respect of ordinary drivers and 0.10mg/l in terms of professional drivers. The youngest person arrested was 20 years old, and the oldest 71 years old.
Blood samples were taken from all those arrested, and they were detained at various police stations across the metro. Most of those arrested were released on bail ranging from R800 to R2 000 and appeared in court today and their cases were remanded pending the outcome of their blood results from the laboratory.
The department would like to warn drivers of this serious offence, which is claiming so many loved ones. We will take a ‘zero’ tolerance approach on this offence, and our special task team that is currently engaged in ‘Operation Futha’ (‘Go and Blow”) will show no mercy to drunk drivers across the province.
This operation is also aimed at trying to get our roads safe, in the build up to the 2010 FIFA world cup
The policing areas where drunken drivers were arrested the past weekend are as follows:
SAPS DCSC:
Anglo Park
Friday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 12
Sunday 2 August 2009: 2
Total: 14
SAPS DCSC:
Bethelsdorp
Friday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 8
Total: 8
SAPS DCSC:
Gelvandale
Friday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 11
Sunday 2 August 2009: 11
Total: 22
SAPS DCSC:
Kabega Park
Friday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 12
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 12
SAPS DCSC:
Mount Road Friday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 9
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 9
SAPS DCSC:
Walmer
Friday 31 July 2009: 9
Saturday 1 August 2009: 7
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 16
SAPS DCSC:
Humewood
Friday 31 July 2009: 8
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 8
SAPS DCSC:
New Brighton
Friday 31 July 2009: 1
Saturday 1 August 2009: 17
Sunday 2 August 2009: 11
Total: 29
SAPS DCSC:
Kwa ZaKhele
Friday 31 July 2009: 36
Saturday 1 August 2009: 2
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 38
SAPS DCSC:
Motherwell
Friday 31 July 2009: 4
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 4
SAPS DCSC:
Kwa Dwezi F
riday 31 July 2009: 0
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 6
Total: 6
SAPS DCSC:
Swartkops
Friday 31 July 2009: 3
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 3
SAPS DCSC:
Imkamvelihle
Friday 31 July 2009: 2
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 2
SAPS DCSC:
Swartkops
Friday 31 July 2009: 3
Saturday 1 August 2009: 0
Sunday 2 August 2009: 0
Total: 3
Totals:
Friday: 63
Saturday: 70
Sunday: 38
Grand total: 171
Enquiries:
N Kumbaca
Cell: 082 4422 388 / 082 562 6023
Fax: 086 5324 933
E-mail: ncedo.kumbacal@dot.ecprov.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
3 August 2009
