2 500 drunk drivers arrested
2009-12-21 22:49
Johannesburg - A total of 2 500 drunk drivers have been arrested countrywide since December 1 as part of a road safety campaign, the transport department said on Monday.
"No less than one million vehicles and drivers will be stopped between December and January," spokesperson Logan Maistry said in a statement.
About 450 000 vehicles had been stopped and checked this month already.
An additional 150 motorists were arrested for reckless or negligent driving, and 1 000 for driving unroadworthy vehicles.
"More than 250 000 motorists were fined for speeding. Thousands of drivers were also fined for not wearing of seatbelts and other offences."
According to preliminary reports, 619 people were killed (169 drivers, 242 passengers and 208 pedestrians) in 478 fatal crashes on the country's roads between December 1 and 20.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele warned road users to obey the rules.
"We want to warn road users to obey all road rules or face the consequences of their actions. We also call upon each and every South African to partner with government in order to save families from the untimely trauma of road deaths."
- SAPA