By Lebogang Seale
Motorists who drink and drive in Gauteng this festive season will face a fine of up to R24 000 - and those caught speeding will face immediate arrest.
This was the stern warning from Gauteng Community Safety MEC Firoz Cachalia, who was speaking during the launch of the Gauteng Festive Season Road Safety Plan at the Donkerhoek traffic control centre, east of Pretoria, on Tuesday.
Cachalia said traffic and police officers would conduct roadblocks on all major routes across the province and carry out on-the-spot checks to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles and drivers' fitness. Unroadworthy vehicles would be taken off the road immediately.
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The MEC added that joint teams would be dispatched at all of Gauteng's main entry and exit points - including the N1, N3 and N4 - day and night.
He said this would happen especially during peak-hour periods.
Cachalia said officers would also be carrying out 24-hour freeway patrols, and those found transgressing the rules by carrying drugs and illegal firearms would face the full might of the law. The operation would also check on driving licences, vehicle permits and overloading.
"Drunken drivers are responsible for a high number of accident fatalities. Using Dreger machines, our teams will be able to determine - on the spot - whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol.
"Drunken drivers will be arrested immediately, and a fine of up to R24 000 will be imposed," he said.
"We are saying that if your car is not roadworthy, don't even think of driving it this festive season - or any other time, for that matter."
The South African Football Players' Union has endorsed the safety plan, with its president, Sipho Nzuzo, lamenting the loss of soccer stars such as Lesley Manyathela and Gift Leremi.
He said the union would be introducing advanced driving lessons for all soccer players.
"It is high time that we engage our members on the importance of driving safely and avoiding drunken driving at all times, hence we are endorsing this safety plan," he said.
Meanwhile, an Audi TT has been caught doing 257km/h on the N1 North, making it the fastest car caught on South African roads after a Lamborghini doing 251km/h was caught on the N14 a few weeks ago.
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Star on December 12, 2007
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