Police arrest 24 drunken drivers in one night

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday March 6, 2014 09:25

 

At the weekend, the combined forces launched ‘Operation Fokotsa Phafana’ (reduce drunkenness), during which 24 motorists were cited for drunken driving.

On top of the fines, the road traffic offenders, one woman and 23 men, who were mostly youth, were herded into the police conference room where they were lectured on the effects of driving under the influence.

Operation Fokotsa Phafana started last Friday and ended on Monday morning. Traffic officer Assistant Superintendent Alison Mbaiwa said during the operation, they came across repeat offenders who have been disqualified from driving and their drivers licences suspended by the courts.

He warned that this is a serious offence that attracts a prison term, affects social economy and can lead to job losses. He explained that road accidents statistics were high last year as compared to 2012.

“Alcohol itself is an impairment that contributes to error of judgment. Last year we registered 30 accidents that claimed four lives and the cause was drunken driving,” he said.

Mbaiwa said the operations they conduct in Selebi-Phikwe enable them to monitor adherence to the law.

He added that three years ago, 816 drivers were tested for alcohol consumption and 115 of them exceeded permissible limits. In 2012 a record 1, 766 were tested and 194 exceeded the limit while in 2013, out of 3, 004 that were tested, 255 exceeded the limit.

“We are worried that statistics keep shooting up. There was an increase of 31 percent from 2012 to 2013 and already we have registered cases this year.

“Fines affect social economy and vehicle repairs and in some instances, of uninsured vehicles hence affecting many households,” he said.

He noted that last year alone 133 drivers were disqualified and their licences suspended.  Seventy-five were disqualified in 2012 while 52 were disqualified in 2011.

The district traffic officer Superintendent Lekgotla Rankwaila advised offenders, and even potential offenders, to always engage people who will drop them off at drinking holes and pick them up later.

 “Introspect as individuals on why you commit these offences and their consequences,” said Rankwaila.