Management of the Rand West City Traffic Department said the recent increase in accidents caused by drinking and driving is worrying.
Traffic Chief Kenny Mampondo said since the ban on the sale of alcohol was lifted people have been caught behind the wheel under the influence. He said this has become a big headache to the law-enforcement fraternity.
“We have become aware of instances where people are partying, and drinking high volumes of liquor. They are drinking as though the breweries are closing the next day,” Mampondo said, adding that in October, five accidents had been recorded, two of which were fatal.
“At the moment, Bekkersdal is our area of great concern, because we have recorded numerous accidents in the early hours involving pedestrians, most of them hit-and-run incidents,” Mampondo said.
“We’ve established that every time there’s an accident, one of the drivers was under the influence – this is really alarming!”
However, Mampondo said they will join forces with the police and the Gauteng Traffic Department to clamp down on those guilty of drinking and driving. He went on to say that it is sad when innocent lives are lost because someone disregarded the rules of the road.
“One life lost is one too many; our wish is to have zero accident fatalities on our roads; people need to know that when a life is lost, it is an irreparable damage.”
He said there will be additional measures in place this festive season to ensured that the carnage is stopped. “We will be hammering on the issue of drinking and driving, and educating people that speed and fatigue kill.
“If you are travelling long distances, make sure that you take regular breaks so that you don’t endanger yourself and the lives of other innocent people,” Mampondo added.
