KZN transport dept attributes decline in road fatalities to intensified efforts against drunk driving

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has attributed a decline in road fatalities on the province’s roads to intensified law enforcement efforts against drunk driving.

The department has announced that since August, at least 800 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving across the province.

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It said the arrests form part of the department’s Alufakwa – Zero Tolerance and No-Nonsense Campaign, which was launched to improve road safety.

Spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said: "He has noted success in the past weekend. From Friday until Sunday at two o'clock, 274 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in Newcastle alone. A male driver was arrested in the Madadeni area with an alcohol content eight times over the legal limit. A minibus taxi driver was arrested in Madadeni with an alcohol content seven times over the legal limit, and a male foreign truck driver was arrested two times over the legal limit."

The department said the campaign will continue to run well into the festive season and beyond.

"In this regard, we have ordered more than 2,500 blood alcohol testing kits to be used to clean our road networks. Our message is very clear: drink, drive, and earn yourself a criminal record."