Stern warning to road users this festive season
Last year in December alone, more than 3 000 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving above the speed limit.
Lyttelton police will take a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to drunk driving this festive season.
Last year in December alone, more than 3 000 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving above the speed limit, said the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
Last week, Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said safer festive season operations would be in full swing later this month.
“It’s not just us, but it’s a national operation and initiative. We will be focusing on high visibility operations on our roads and conducting roadblocks,” he said.
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“Drunk drivers are usually spread wide but during the festive, they tend to be on main roads and in and around night clubs and restaurants. These are the major points we’ll be focusing on especially at night,” said Miller.
He said highways would be patrolled regularly.
“Accidents with major injuries tend to happen on freeways, contributing factors include alcohol, speed, and unroadworthy vehicles,” he said.
South Africans Against Drink Driving (SADD) have advised motorists to drink responsibly.
The effects of alcohol on driving according to SADD:
– You are less able to judge distances and speed;
– You may have a tendency to be overconfident and put yourself and other road users at risk; and
– You are less likely to observe traffic signs or other road users;
Possible consequences of driving drunk include killing someone else, losing your own life, imprisonment, criminal records and legal costs.
SADD said if you intended to drive, the safest option was not to drink, and if you have had too much to drink, appoint a designated driver or make use of alternate public transport.
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