/ 6 December 2008

Cops crack down on drunken drivers

As the festive season approaches, the Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) is aiming to double the number of drunken-driving arrests as compared with last year, it said on Saturday.

Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the JMPD, in partnership with the South African Police Service, will be intensifying roadblocks and patrols in Johannesburg in order to stop carnage on the roads.

”Patrolling and road blocks would occur near malls, parks, other places of entertainment, taxi ranks, and other major areas,” Minnaar said.

He said breathalyser tests would also be immediately sent to an Intoximeter Alcohol Evidential Test Centre, which was established on November 6.

”The breathalyser test results would be printed out immediately and then placed into a docket, so there will be no need for blood tests.

”This would help process drunken-driving court cases a lot quicker,” Minnaar said.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape 39 people were arrested for drunken driving in Mthatha on Saturday.

Superintendent Mzuqisi Fatyela said police began roadblocks at 2am and concluded them at 5am.

He said that police were also looking for illegal firearms and drugs.

The 39 will be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and will appear in court soon. — Sapa