18 drunk drivers were arrested in Newcastle over the weekend, highlighting the no-nonsense approach taken by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers towards those who disregard the law.

The arrests formed part of RTI’s Operation #NenzaniLaEzwene Campaign, conducted from Friday, June 1, to Sunday, June 14, focusing on speeding and drunk driving.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, two of the drivers arrested were taxi drivers who were found to be 20 times over the legal alcohol limit.

Among the offenders were also a female school teacher and a technician.

Drivers attempt to flee but fail to escape

In a humorous Facebook post, the department said several offenders were left exhausted and covered in dust after attempting to evade arrest by abandoning their vehicles and fleeing on foot.

“You would swear they had been competing in the Comrades Marathon and finished in the top 20. But no, they had tried to run away and leave their vehicles behind,” the statement read.

However, RTI officers ensured that the offenders faced the consequences of their actions, with not a single driver managing to escape.

MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma commended the officers for their efforts in keeping Newcastle’s roads safe.

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