 
MEDIA STATEMENT
WEEKEND CRACKDOWN ON KZN MOTORISTS42 drivers have been arrested for drunk driving, 41 vehicles were suspended for being un-roadworthy and motorists were charged for more than 1 788 various other traffic offences in KZN from the 25 June 2004 to 26 June 2004 as part of the month-end weekend crackdown on motorists. Further, the specialist Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU) impounded 26 minibus taxis for route permits and the drivers were arrested. This unit also supported the Camperdown Magistrates Court which has been in session since Friday. Thirty four(34)motorists appeared before the magistrate with the highest fine of R4 000 handed down to a minibus taxi driver who exceeded the 100 kilometre per hour speed limit and drove at 127 kilometres per hour. Five (5) motorists who were caught drinking and driving had their cases remanded and will appear at the above court within the next week. Meanwhile, since Friday when the operation kicked in at 17h00, RTI attended to one collision were one(1) person was killed and seven slightly on the provinces roads when a head-on collision occurred between two sedans at the intersection of New Greytown/Wartburg Roads along the R33. The SAPS are investigating further. RTI officers from Pietermaritzburg worked voluntarily during the early hours of Sunday morning to meet the specific objectives of this particular roadblock in response from large numbers of phone calls from parents after the tragic collision along Town Bush Road. Parents say that that free alcohol during "HAPPY HOURS" to youngsters at night clubs in the city is cause for concern. These officers targeted the major egress routes and arrested 7 drunk motorists during this period. One youngster apart from being drunk sped through red robots while another tried to obstruct an officer in the course of his duties. The investigations into the early hours intoxication of these motorists will give the department an idea were the last drinks were consumed. The management from the Road Traffic Inspectorate will request in future to attend Liquor Licensing meetings and to add weight to oppose the renewal of liquor licenses to owners who feed free alcohol to under aged patrons. The high number of drunk drivers, unroadworthy vehicles and vehicle defects as well as those who still insist on speeding is a cause for concern. The above figures indicate that many motorists still display a blatant disregard for the law and do not consider the consequences of their actions or the safety of other road users. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Safety and Security and Transport Mr. Bheki Cele has commended RTI and SAPS officers for their commitment and hard work this weekend to reduce the deaths on our roads. At the same time Cele has reminded road users that road safety is everybody’s responsibility. "We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of all road users but until every road user becomes responsible we can never win this battle. We cannot win the fight against road deaths without the complete and unambiguous support of every individual, Cele said. For further information and enquiries please contact Colin Govender on 082 808 1733.
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