Minister Carlisle Announces First Anniversary of Safely Home's "Name and Shame" Campaign

Media Statement by Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works

Today marks the first anniversary of our "Name and Shame" Campaign, which forms part of our Safely Home initiative.

Over the past 12 months, we have published the names of convicted drunk drivers in the Cape Argus newspaper, something which we believe has had a very powerful effect on driver behaviour.

Of the 44 names of drunk drivers on our Name and Shame list for August, a total of nine were sent straight to jail without the option of a fine.

Over the past 12 months, the department has named and shamed a total of 664 convicted drunk drivers.

Of the 664, 47 were sentenced directly to jail.

At least 12 had their licences cancelled, while many others had their licences suspended - in one case, for 20 years - or were disqualified from obtaining a learner's or driver's licence, often for many, many years.

Of the 47 that were jailed without the option of a fine, one received a four-year jail sentence, six received three-year sentences, while the rest received jail sentences ranging from six months to two-and-a-half years in jail.

Whilst it is gratifying to see that 47 out of a total of the 664 convicted of driving drunk on our province's roads were sent to jail without the option of a fine, we would like to see a much higher percentage of convicted drunken drivers behind bars.

Drunk driving is one of the strongest contributors to road fatalities and the more savage the sentences, the sooner this scourge will be brought under control.

Nevertheless, in jailing some of the drunken drivers, the courts are sending out a powerful message that will help us save hundreds of lives.

It is clear that motorists have begun to see that there will be consequences when they see fit to drive while over the limit.

These consequences usually involve at least one night in jail, a court case and, quite frequently, a jail sentence without the option of a fine.

Every drunk driver needs to know that the chances of his being caught, convicted and jailed are becoming more likely every day.