POLICE OFFICERS NABBED FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING

Fabulous, so the road carnage is down for the Xmas period or holiday period and police officers have been arrested along with the usual rabble! Now, what about the judge that got caught and our very own Jackie Salebi, when does that put them - or are the lowly officers fodder to take the place of our erstwhile so called leaders?

Police officers nabbed for drunken driving
Johannesburg, South Africa
23 December 2006 07:59

Two police officers were among people arrested for drunken driving in the presence of Transport Minister Jeff Radebe in separate roadblocks on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, the provincial traffic department said. "The minister joined me in a visit to various roadblocks across the province and we witnessed the arrests of the officers," said KwaZulu-Natal minister of transport Bheki Cele.

"This shows that we show no mercy on offending motorists, irrespective of whether they are police officers." He said hundreds of motorists were issued tickets for not complying with road rules. "We will also be strict on motorists who do not display their registration numbers, especially those who drive fast cars and think they can get away without being detected."

Cele said unroadworthy taxis were among vehicles stopped during the roadblock. "We however commend those motorists who contributed to reducing road deaths by obeying all road rules. We also commend traffic and law-enforcement agencies in the province for their visibility, dedication and commitment to reducing death on the KwaZulu-Natal roads."

He warned that roadblocks would continue, with every measure taken to ensue that "those caught breaking the law face the consequences".

Fewer fatalities

Fatalities on South Africa's roads have decreased but it remains up to road users to ensure that the trend continues, the Department of Transport said on Friday. The death toll stood at 907, down from last year's 1 024 for the same period. "Yes, we can be optimistic that the situation has improved, but we cannot predict what will happen next," said spokesperson Collen Msibi.

"Government has increased law enforcement on the roads. The critical period around Christmas and New Year is when accidents occur in residential areas because of alcohol use, which causes around 60% of the accidents," he said. Speed remains the main cause of fatal accidents on South African roads. "Speed is involved in all accidents: no speed, no accidents. In around 70% of the fatal accidents speed is an essential contributory factor."Speed increases the risk of being involved in an accident, makes it more difficult to avoid an accident and increases the severity of an accident, said Msibi. He cautioned motorists to adhere to the speed limit at all times."Never try to regain lost time due to delays by speeding.

Traffic authorities will not show any mercy to irresponsible behaviour."Pedestrian deaths remained high with 365 fatalities, followed by 287 passenger deaths and 256 drivers.The Gauteng province had the highest number of fatalities with 182, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 178 deaths, the Eastern Cape with 105, and Mpumalanga with 99. The province with the least fatalities was the Northern Cape at 29. -- Sapa