Johannesburg – The Johannesburg Metro Police Department on Monday said that it had arrested 555 drunk drivers this past weekend.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the drunk drivers were all detained at various police stations in Johannesburg and had to pay bail of up to R2500, but only after three to six hours in detention.
“Motorists are warned that there is a zero tolerance approach this festive season toward those who ignore the rules of the road," Minnaar said. "Many similar operations will be held up until the end of January.”
Last week Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi said that his department planned to improve road safety over the festive season through more visible policing as well as mobile testing stations. He also admitted that the practice of officers hiding to catch speeding motorists was counter-productive as it antagonised citizens that are normally law-abiding.
“The challenging situation we are faced with calls upon us to make a fundamental shift and start doing (things) differently this year,” Maswanganyi.