UNLIKE some provinces battling with shortages, there’s good news for road users in the Cape where there are sufficient stocks of blood testing kits for drunk drivers.
The provincial traffic authorities said they had enough supplies to last until April 2023, and warned drunk drivers to beware .
The blood testing kits will assist in the arrest and prosecution of drunk drivers.
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, spokesperson for the Minister of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, said: “The Western Cape has enough blood testing kits to arrest drunk drivers and is not affected by the reported shortage of drunk driving testing kits across the country.
“The province received its stock and will continue executing alcohol related law enforcement as an everyday focus and fulfil the national minister’s Phuza weekend operations all year round.
“The kits received will assist Provincial Traffic Services to successfully continue to conduct drinking and driving operations across the province.
“The drawing of a blood sample will be for prosecutorial purposes, and we will continue with the same practice over the festive period to arrest motorists who feel they have the liberty to drive drunk and show blatant disregard for any other innocent road user.”
Last week, Provincial Traffic Services arrested 81 motorists who were under the influence of alcohol while 26 people died on the roads
Makoba-Somdaka said 225 fines were issued: “Provincial Traffic Services implemented 225 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoint and speed control operations across the province, and 28 910 vehicles were stopped and checked.
“A total of 9 320 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the week under review. A total of 221 speeding offences were recorded.”
Mitchell’s office said according to their data males were likely to have a higher blood alcohol content than women, something which became evident during testing of pedestrians.
“A high percentage of pedestrians killed on the road in earlier years who were tested for alcohol had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.2g per 100ml of blood, which is four times the legal limit for drivers,” his office said.
“Male pedestrian fatalities are more likely to have a high BAC than females. Young men are the category of pedestrian most likely to die after drinking, with the highest risk being those aged 20–29 years.
“More than three times as many pedestrians die on Saturdays than on Wednesdays.”
Makoba-Somdaka warned traffic officers would be out in force over this festive season to keep everyone safe.
Mitchell also issued a strong warning to errant road users: “I want to send a stern warning to all drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol, that the law will take its course and there will be repercussions.
“Drunk drivers be warned. In the Western Cape we have a zero tolerance policy on drunk driving.
“There is no excuse for drunk driving. The safety of all which is fundamental for the dignity of the province’s citizens is my top priority.”
Mitchell’s office said the highest speeds recorded this week were: 167 km/h in a 120 km/h zone, 134 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, 124 km/h in an 80 km/h zone and 90 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
Thirteen vehicles were impounded and 117 discontinued for not being roadworthy.
A total of 114 arrests were made; 81 for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for speeding, 13 for reckless and negligent driving, two for overloading and three for possession of fraudulent documentation.
“Sadly, 23 crashes occurred in the reporting period, and 26 fatalities were recorded in the past week, 14 were pedestrians while four were drivers and two motorcyclists and one cyclist and five passengers.”