20 motorists arrested in W.Cape for drunk driving

Western Cape Traffic officials arrested 20 people for driving under the influence of alcohol over the last week.

Provincial Transport & Public Works MEC, Daylinn Mitchell said that of the pedestrians who die in crashes and are tested for alcohol, over half have been drinking and about 40% of those are drunk.

‘’I urge you not to drink and drive! Even small amounts of alcohol affect your judgement. If you are caught driving under the influence, you could land up with a criminal record. Let’s all aim for #BoozeFreeRoads this festive season, and at every other time of the year.’’

The MEC revealed that pedestrians die three times more ain crashes on Saturdays than on Wednesdays. Young men between the ages of 20 and 29 years are most vulnerable.

‘’Driving when you have been drinking is dangerous, regardless of how much, or how little, you drink. Alcohol slows down your ability to respond in an emergency. You are likely to drive faster than you usually do, and less carefully. An error of judgement might mean killing or injuring someone on the road, in another vehicle, or in your own vehicle. The mistake you make in a moment could lead to a lifetime of regret,’’ said Mitchell.

‘’Don’t drink and walk. Find a safer way to get home. Think carefully about the value of your own life and the lives of others. If you go out and will be drinking, it is better not to drive at all. Rather find a safer way to get to the place you want to visit, and to get home. Use a taxi or an e-hailing vehicle to keep yourself and others safe,’’ added Mitchell.

He applauded those who follow the rules of the road

‘’I want to thank all law abiding road users who do not speed, do not drink and drive, who buckle up and ensure that their passengers are buckled up, who ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and who rest on their journeys. You are by far the majority. We will continue to clamp down on those in the wrong. I want to thank every one of our traffic law enforcement officers who are sacrificing time with their families to live their calling to make our roads safer and serve the people of the province. You are making a difference.’’

PICTURED: MEC Daylinn Mitchell

 

Done By: Mitchum George