DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has warned that harsh action will be taken against drunk drivers following an accident in which five people were killed on Sunday.
The accident, which occurred on the N2 near Mtentweni on the South Coast, has been described as one of the most horrific in the province this year, and has rang alarm bells ahead of the festive season.
Nkonyeni has directed traffic law enforcement offices to step up their efforts to clamp down on drunk drivers.
The transport department said reports indicated that the driver of a VW Golf lost control of the vehicle while overtaking on a barrier line and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
The department alleged that further investigations revealed that the driver of the VW Golf was driving under the influence of alcohol.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, which could have been easily avoided had the driver adhered to the rules of the road. The department is always preaching the gospel of road safety... those who continue to disobey the rules of the road, unfortunately [this] can lead to fatal consequences,” said the MEC.
Nkonyeni said officers will deal harshly with those who break the law.
“We cannot afford to lose lives due to recklessness and that simply means our law enforcement will be beefed up to hit hard on those who are law breakers. Those who continue to break the rules of the road will be dealt with harshly,” the MEC stressed.
Law enforcement officers are set to be deployed to trouble spots across the province in order to make sure that all motorists comply with traffic laws.
THE MERCURY