Empangeni drivers arrested in weekend blitz

Of the 77 motorists arrested in KZN for driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend, 11 are from Empangeni.

With a notable rise in fatal crashes during payday weekends, specifically on the 15th and 25th, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), in partnership with SAPS, Durban Metro Police, uMsunduzi Traffic, and other traffic officers across various municipalities, worked tirelessly from Friday night into the early hours of Saturday to enforce the Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense and Alufakwa campaign.

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With more than 30 road fatalities in August thus far, Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has instructed the teams to show ‘no mercy’ to those found breaking the law.

Research and data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) indicates 27.1% of fatal crashes are related to drunk driving, while the Road Accident Fund (RAF) said it paid out R43b in injury benefits to accident survivors aged between 15 and 34 from 2020 to 2022, as well as an additional R2.86b in youth death-related benefits.

On a mission to save the youth of tomorrow by ensuring the roads are free of negligent and irresponsible drivers, sting operation teams were led by a female commander, with teams consisting mainly of women enforcement officers.

They achieved the following:

• 77 motorists arrested for drinking and driving
• 251 vehicles were stopped
• 11 motorists had no driver’s licences
• 2 vehicles ‘resembling moving coffins’ were suspended and removed from the roads

In addition to the 11 arrests in Empangeni, other apprehensions included 29 in Durban, 17 in Pietermaritzburg, 12 in Kokstad and five in Ladysmith.

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