Traffic officers of the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) and other law enforcement agencies will be doing their best to keep our roads safe this July. We will continue focusing on curbing drinking and driving as part of the #BoozeFreeRoads campaign.
Don’t drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol may affect your judgement and slow down your reactions. Traffic officers will continue to conduct alcohol blitz roadblocks every weekend throughout the Western Cape. In addition, Random Breath Testing (RBT) operations will see motorists stopped and tested on any day, at any time, anywhere. If a driver is found to be over the legal limit, he or she will be tested at the roadside by our Mobile Alcohol Evidentiary Unit. Evidence collected in this way can be used in criminal prosecutions.
DTPW statistics show a steady increase in the number of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests on weekdays. In other words, drinking and driving is not restricted to weekends any more. A total of 506 RBT and alcohol blitz operations were executed in the period 1 April 2019 to 22 June 2019 at all Western Cape traffic centres, resulting in 51 819 alcohol screenings and 576 DUI arrests. The highest breath alcohol result during this period was recorded in Brackenfell, at 1.82 mg of alcohol/ 1000 ml of breath, this is 7 times over the legal limit.
“The simple fact is that alcohol and roads don’t mix,” said Kenny Africa, DTPW Chief Director: Traffic Management. “Whether you are driving, walking, or riding a motorbike or bicycle, don’t drink. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to make sound decisions, safely operate a vehicle, or walk safely near traffic. If you have friends or family who still drive or walk under the influence, speak to them before it is too late and someone gets killed or injured. Be a model of responsible behaviour for other road users to follow.”
Join Safely Home on Twitter and Facebook @WCGovSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads
Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813 | 079 281 8570
E-mail: Byron.laHoe@westerncape.gov.za